tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060593324936581367.post8730387411117855629..comments2024-03-28T04:49:07.788-04:00Comments on SafeLibraries®: GLSEN Gets It, the ALA Doesn't; ALA Challenged to Provide Notice of Potentially Inappropriate Material in its Book Lists and AwardsSafeLibraries®http://www.blogger.com/profile/06756725065032196698noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060593324936581367.post-54624168505856462752010-01-28T01:12:30.815-05:002010-01-28T01:12:30.815-05:00I have been critical of the National Coalition Aga...I have been critical of the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) on this blog. Now I can report good news about the NCAC. <br /><br />The NCAC, like GLSEN but unlike the ALA, would provide parents with adequate notice about potentially objectionable material:<br /><br />"<a href="http://ncacblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/two-words-on-the-chalkboard-in-oregon-draw-complaints-from-parents/" rel="nofollow">It would have been enough, as the school district also promises, to inform the parents about the curriculum before it takes place. That way, parents who object can choose to make their own children read alternate books, while the rest of the students remain able to take part fully in this important unit</a>."<br /><br />To this point the ALA remains silent while continuing to deny people proper notice.SafeLibraries®https://www.blogger.com/profile/06756725065032196698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060593324936581367.post-85316824937578307902009-12-15T15:12:09.263-05:002009-12-15T15:12:09.263-05:00Media Matters for America implicitly supports some...<i>Media Matters for America</i> implicitly supports some of what I have said (and does not address the remainder).<br /><br />I take away from this that <i>Media Matters For America</i> supports providing people with adequate notice as to the contents of reading material.<br /><br />Now, besides GLSEN, Media Matters gets it, the ALA doesn't.<br /><br />Quote:<br /><br /><b>SMEAR: Jennings promoted "Child Porn in the Classroom"<br /><br />REALITY: Jennings' group recommended adults review books for suitability.</b> Conservative blogs and <a href="http://mediamatters.org/research/200912110003" rel="nofollow">The Washington Times editorial board</a> have <a href="http://mediamatters.org/research/200912040041" rel="nofollow">claimed</a> that Jennings is unfit as "Safe Schools Czar" because he supposedly promoted "child porn" by allowing GLSEN to recommend for students in grades 7-12 books that included sexually explicit content. The organization, however, specifically stated on its book list website that "some titles for adolescent readers contain mature themes" and recommended that "adults selecting books for youth review content for suitability"; further, schools regularly teach books that contain sexually explicit material. In a December 11 <a href="http://www.oif.ala.org/oif/?p=769" rel="nofollow">statement</a>, Martin Garnar, chair of the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee, said: "Though Jennings' and GLSEN's critics claim to be upholding American morals and values by condemning the GLSEN book list, they are actually undermining the values of tolerance, free inquiry, and self-determination that inform and sustain our democratic way of life in the United States."<br /><br />Source:<br /><br />"<a href="http://mediamatters.org/research/200912150012" rel="nofollow">Unraveling the Right's False Attacks on Kevin Jennings</a>," by <b>M.G.</b>, <i>Media Matters for America</i>, 15 December 2009.SafeLibraries®https://www.blogger.com/profile/06756725065032196698noreply@blogger.com