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Pop Culture

Tennessee School Bans ‘Maus’ Graphic Novel16790

Collector 00slim private msg quote post Address this user
If ya hadn’t heard:

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The Author’s Reaction:

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Forum Crier OGJackster private msg quote post Address this user
Society has gone awry... again!


Post 2 IP   flag post
I don't want to brag, but cashiers are always checking me out. power_struggle55 private msg quote post Address this user
i can see why....but at the same time......WHY?!!

I mean do they teach students about WWII? Nazi Germany? Haulicaust? The graphic novel is just a reinterupting that just with cats and mice. I need to read it. Ive seen it around but just havent gotten to it
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Moderator Jesse_O private msg quote post Address this user
Let's remember that politics are not to discussed on the forum. I suggest keeping the discussion to Maus, Art Spiegelman, the holocaust and those types of topics.
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Collector 00slim private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse_O
Let's remember that politics are not to discussed on the forum. I suggest keeping the discussion to Maus, Art Spiegelman, the holocaust and those types of topics.


Agreed. I did not, and do not, intend this to be a political discussion.
Post 5 IP   flag post
It was a one trick pony show but always hilarious. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
I've never read it but I know what it's about. It's a critically acclaimed piece of work. cencorship is always unfortunate.
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Collector 00slim private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by power_struggle55
i can see why....but at the same time......WHY?!!

I mean do they teach students about WWII? Nazi Germany? Haulicaust? The graphic novel is just a reinterupting that just with cats and mice. I need to read it. Ive seen it around but just havent gotten to it


And to that point, after this news came out, ‘Maus’ is now backordered on Amazon for two months.
Post 7 IP   flag post
If I could, I would. I swear. DrWatson private msg quote post Address this user
Eh, it's McMinn county. No real surprise there. The people up in arms about it probably haven't even read it. However, I do think Night by Elie Wiesel is a better book for the subject matter.
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If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8. xkonk private msg quote post Address this user
Banning a book is almost a sign of book quality at this point. Maus is truly a classic. The only comic/graphic novel to win a Pulitzer, and one of very few to win any non-comic award.
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If I could, I would. I swear. DrWatson private msg quote post Address this user
As an aside, whomever these professional journalists are that write these articles, they need to invest in an editor or some kind of professional editing software. Good grief, some the errors...
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I don't want to brag, but cashiers are always checking me out. power_struggle55 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by xkonk
Banning a book is almost a sign of book quality at this point. Maus is truly a classic. The only comic/graphic novel to win a Pulitzer, and one of very few to win any non-comic award.


i agree. subject matter is touchy...yes. But how is it any different then every important piece of art (books, movies etc) that deal with the subject. its just cancel culture (not being political). p
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I'll probably wake up constipated. Pre_Coder private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrWatson
As an aside, whomever these professional journalists are that write these articles, they need to invest in an editor or some kind of professional editing software. Good grief, some the errors...

Even in the newspapers,... terrible grammar and punctuation.
Post 12 IP   flag post
Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
I think it's important to not speak in absolutes. It can set unfortunate precedents that come back to haunt society. If a book is determined not age appropriate for Jr. High School libraries, is that really "banning"? I personally think Maus is more appropriate for High School libraries than for Jr. High libraries. I don't have a problem with choosing not to put it in Jr. High or Elementary school libraries.
Post 13 IP   flag post
Moderator Jesse_O private msg quote post Address this user
Maus has been on my want list for years!!! Unfortunately, I've always wanted another comic more. Well, I'll have to get it now.
Post 14 IP   flag post
If I could, I would. I swear. DrWatson private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
I think it's important to not speak in absolutes. It can set unfortunate precedents that come back to haunt society. If a book is determined not age appropriate for Jr. High School libraries, is that really "banning"? I personally think Maus is more appropriate for High School libraries than for Jr. High libraries. I don't have a problem with choosing not to put it in Jr. High or Elementary school libraries.

I agree. The school board should have replaced the book with something more age appropriate instead of referring to it as or being banned.
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It was a one trick pony show but always hilarious. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
The book is age appropriate for 12 and up. Not sure what age group the board "banned" the book.
Post 16 IP   flag post
Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by GAC
The book is age appropriate for 12 and up. Not sure what age group the board "banned" the book.


It was the Jr. High School library. I think it's ok to debate age appropriateness. Maybe it's 12, maybe it's 15...I don't think there is an unreasonable side in that discussion. But to call it "banning" every time a book is determined to be age inappropriate I think sets a bed precedent. It would indicate that all books are ok for all school libraries, regardless of age.
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Where's his Bat-package? Byrdibyrd private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrWatson
As an aside, whomever these professional journalists are that write these articles, they need to invest in an editor or some kind of professional editing software. Good grief, some the errors...

As a person with a degree in lit, I have to echo your sentiments. It's just sad that supposedly professional writers can't be bothered to proofread their work and the editors of these so-called writers can't be bothered to do their jobs.

I would like to add that when I was studying for my degree, "Maus" was one of our assignments. It is a respectful, masterful, and deeply moving piece that I would recommend to anyone who is at least of high school age so that some of the more mature themes can be processed. The idea that it should be banned because some kids will see a breast and learn that PTSD and mental illness can lead to suicide is just grotesque. I cannot think of another work of literature that conveys the visceral horrors of the Holocaust in such a moving and inoffensive manner.
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Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
Correction, I thought the banning was removing it from the Jr. High Library. It actually was a decision to remove it from the 8th grade curriculum. I actually don't know about it's availability in High School or Jr. High libraries.

Jonathan Pierce, the board member who initiated the vote to remove Maus from the eighth-grade curriculum
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Where's his Bat-package? Byrdibyrd private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
Correction, I thought the banning was removing it from the Jr. High Library. It actually was a decision to remove it from the 8th grade curriculum. I actually don't know about it's availability in High School or Jr. High libraries.

Jonathan Pierce, the board member who initiated the vote to remove Maus from the eighth-grade curriculum

In my opinion, eighth grade is old enough for "Maus" as long as the instructor can field questions and address concerns. And seriously, what eighth-grader has no idea what the opposite sex looks like in the nude? Banning the book because there's a breast is just stupid. I weep for sex education for our young people if we have 13-year-olds who are genuinely ignorant of the opposite sex.
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I don't want to brag, but cashiers are always checking me out. power_struggle55 private msg quote post Address this user
my guess a mom with a kid in elementary school gave her son the comic with mice and cats. thinking it would be like tom and jerry

usually thats how it starts. mom makes bad call....everyone pays
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Post 22 IP   flag post
Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
The thing that's more surprising for me is that it was on the 8th grade curriculum in the first place. Not because of boobies or bad words, but because it's a fairly mature and profound book. I think it would be better suited for study by college prep seniors. I doubt 8th graders were ever the target audience when Spiegelman wrote it. A lot of us here read the book...did any of you guys read it before high school?
Post 23 IP   flag post
It was a one trick pony show but always hilarious. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
Regardless of cartoon nudity, the subject matter is what's important. I haven't read the book but I'm assuming its faithful (accurate) to the historical atrocity minus the gore. It's obviously an important world event that I personally do not
believe grade eights are too young for.
Post 24 IP   flag post
Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
@GAC There's a copy on my bookshelf and I wouldn't have any problem with my 9th grader or even my 6th grader reading it if they wanted to. I just think they are too young to understand it beyond surface level. The story and art are full of symbolism and I doubt it would mean much at this age, even if I explained it to them. I will probably encourage them to read it when they are closer to the end of high school.
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Where's his Bat-package? Byrdibyrd private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
The thing that's more surprising for me is that it was on the 8th grade curriculum in the first place.

I was a little surprised, too. I wonder if it was for an AP lit course or something like that.
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It was a one trick pony show but always hilarious. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
@GAC There's a copy on my bookshelf and I wouldn't have any problem with my 9th grader or even my 6th grader reading it if they wanted to. I just think they are too young to understand it beyond surface level. The story and art are full of symbolism and I doubt it would mean much at this age, even if I explained it to them. I will probably encourage them to read it when they are closer to the end of high school.


Yes, perhaps it was decided the content was above their comprehension. Hopefully it just wasn't because parents complained because they don't like it.
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Where's his Bat-package? Byrdibyrd private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
did any of you guys read it before high school?

It didn't exist when I was in high school! I did read it right when it came out, though.
Post 28 IP   flag post
Collector 00slim private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by GAC
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
@GAC There's a copy on my bookshelf and I wouldn't have any problem with my 9th grader or even my 6th grader reading it if they wanted to. I just think they are too young to understand it beyond surface level. The story and art are full of symbolism and I doubt it would mean much at this age, even if I explained it to them. I will probably encourage them to read it when they are closer to the end of high school.


Yes, perhaps it was decided the content was above their comprehension. Hopefully it just wasn't because parents complained because they don't like it.


The depiction of hanging and nudity was cited as the main objection.
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Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
I've been inspired to start reading it again. The "nudity" is all but non-existent. See if you can find it in the image below. But the overall subject about survival in concentration camps is pretty tough stuff for a 13 year old kid that doesn't have it go right over their head. From the prologue: "Friends? Your Friends? If you lock them together in a room with no food for a week...then you could see what it is, Friends!"


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