Comments on: How Firm is Your Stand? http://grocerystorefeet.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/how-firm-is-your-stand/ A different look at life from a different kind of person. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:53:06 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Jim http://grocerystorefeet.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/how-firm-is-your-stand/#comment-81 Jim Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:12:03 +0000 http://grocerystorefeet.wordpress.com/?p=70#comment-81 You couldn't be more correct and you touch on an area that has always caused problems in my mind and that is the difference between theory and reality. There are few Norma Jeans in the world. Most of us are not prepared to stand on the ramparts and sacrifice ourselves and our families for the greater good. We are simply people who are trying to take care of our families and do a little bit of good. Few are willing to take a stand over one book in one school library in one town if it means their job and they are completely correct. Symbolic stands on small issues that mean little except to the few people involved isn't protecting intellectual freedom - it's meaningless demogogery. The ALA, in their insulated, protected world, would like us to fight the good fight they have created but reality tells us that when push comes to shove, we hurt ourselves and our patrons more than we help them in these cases. Let's say you make the stand and you win. 1 book stays. Do you think this will cow said administrator or parent? Of course not. If anything it will make them seek out materials and try again until they win. It will also leave a very sour taste in the mouth of the person who signs your contract. Now let's say you lose - the more likely outcome. Not only does the book go but you most likely will go with it. Now the administrator can hire someone of like mind. "Objectionable" materials will be weeded out wholesale. The selection process will now more accurately be called censorship. With the squeeky wheel out of the way, the problem as they see it can be completely solved and then the children have no one to even attempt to provide them with a broader view of the world. You fought and lost. The book is gone, the community had to go through the trauma of the fight, and your kids will have less freedom rather than more. Thats a big lose to intellectual freedom, folks. This poster is 100% correct - do what you can, pick your battles, realize what the ALA recommends doesn't reflect the reality of our everyday life, and understand that small sacrifices made judiciously serve the greater good. You couldn’t be more correct and you touch on an area that has always caused problems in my mind and that is the difference between theory and reality. There are few Norma Jeans in the world. Most of us are not prepared to stand on the ramparts and sacrifice ourselves and our families for the greater good. We are simply people who are trying to take care of our families and do a little bit of good. Few are willing to take a stand over one book in one school library in one town if it means their job and they are completely correct. Symbolic stands on small issues that mean little except to the few people involved isn’t protecting intellectual freedom – it’s meaningless demogogery. The ALA, in their insulated, protected world, would like us to fight the good fight they have created but reality tells us that when push comes to shove, we hurt ourselves and our patrons more than we help them in these cases. Let’s say you make the stand and you win. 1 book stays. Do you think this will cow said administrator or parent? Of course not. If anything it will make them seek out materials and try again until they win. It will also leave a very sour taste in the mouth of the person who signs your contract. Now let’s say you lose – the more likely outcome. Not only does the book go but you most likely will go with it. Now the administrator can hire someone of like mind. “Objectionable” materials will be weeded out wholesale. The selection process will now more accurately be called censorship. With the squeeky wheel out of the way, the problem as they see it can be completely solved and then the children have no one to even attempt to provide them with a broader view of the world. You fought and lost. The book is gone, the community had to go through the trauma of the fight, and your kids will have less freedom rather than more. Thats a big lose to intellectual freedom, folks.
This poster is 100% correct – do what you can, pick your battles, realize what the ALA recommends doesn’t reflect the reality of our everyday life, and understand that small sacrifices made judiciously serve the greater good.

]]> By: Ashley http://grocerystorefeet.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/how-firm-is-your-stand/#comment-63 Ashley Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:56:47 +0000 http://grocerystorefeet.wordpress.com/?p=70#comment-63 Once again, I whole heartedly agree. The term "indispensable" comes to mind. What are you doing to make yourself that way? Or more importantly, what are you doing to make yourself dispensable? Once again, I whole heartedly agree. The term “indispensable” comes to mind. What are you doing to make yourself that way? Or more importantly, what are you doing to make yourself dispensable?

]]> By: Janice Robertson http://grocerystorefeet.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/how-firm-is-your-stand/#comment-56 Janice Robertson Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:21:36 +0000 http://grocerystorefeet.wordpress.com/?p=70#comment-56 "What happens though when your principal walks in tomorrow and hands you a book that “someone in the community” wants off your shelves? By all means, follow your procedures and policies. Have all the forms ready that you want. But what if he says, “The school doesn’t need this publicity. Take the book off now.” I'm not really clear why your principal wouldn't be backing you. You make it sound like your principal isn't on your side. Is your principal a reader? “What happens though when your principal walks in tomorrow and hands you a book that “someone in the community” wants off your shelves? By all means, follow your procedures and policies. Have all the forms ready that you want. But what if he says, “The school doesn’t need this publicity. Take the book off now.”

I’m not really clear why your principal wouldn’t be backing you. You make it sound like your principal isn’t on your side. Is your principal a reader?

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