Teacher suspended over Freedom Writers
The case of an Indiana teacher who got in trouble for assigning Freedom Writers Diary to her class is getting renewed attention these days. Connie Heermann of Perry Meridian High School bucked the wishes of the school board, which objected to the book's strong language, and was suspended earlier this year. Even though she had overwhelming support from parents of her students, and the book was available in the school library.
Now, thanks to a CNN report and a spirited defense by screemwriter and director Richard LaGravenese, who made the movie adaptation starring Hillary Swank, people are learning about the bureaucratic injustice and the clumsy classroom ban. Seems like school boards always step in it when they confront a controversial book, don't they?
Freedom Writers photo from Paramount
As Independence Day nears, it's a good time to reflect on our freedoms. You won't find "freedom to read" in the Constitution, but it's vital for an informed nation. Yet we still endure challenges to books such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Color Purple and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings -- all among the Top 10 Most Challenged Books last year, according to the American Library Association.
While she always preferred The Hardy Boys to Nancy Drew, 
Comments
I really do not like brownies.
Posted by: Pancho Riviera | September 4, 2008 4:00 PM