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JULY 25, 2003 at 11:09 AM
Posted by JAMES
Source: KPOM via Wizard News
Brian Meadors has hopefully set another stone
in the idea that children should be able to read most books, not be stalled by the ideology of some faceless figure within or outside the administration.
It was a controversial decision--the court battle over Harry Potter books in the Cedarville schools. Thursday night, attorney Brian Meadors gave people the inside view of the case including showing evidence.
He represented the Cedarville student and her family who sued last year claiming the school district's requirement of a parent permission to read the books violated the child's right to free speech. The court ruled in their favor.
"This case serves as a lesson and a reminder to local school districts and local governments in the state of Arkansas that you cannot ban books. You can't restrict books. You can't keep them away from children simply because you may disagree with their message," Meadors says.
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Head Girl
Points: 479
eclektic says:
i agree completely. people have a right to read whatever they want and it should not be restricted in anyway just because someone feels that it is not right. it is in no one's business to impose any standards on anyone and people have the freedom to choose the material that they wish to peruse. such compulsion by external bodies go against an individual's rights and merely promote a utulitarian lifestyle and system that governments have tried hard to eradicate.
Posted Jul 25, 2003 at 1:27 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2287
Snufflesmom says:
I can agree up to a point. I think that some parental control (yes, parents, no the schools or the church, but parents) should know what their children are reading. I can't imagine an eight year old reading some adult literature. Even a classic like The Catcher in The Rye, which adored as a teenager, is something an eight year old wouldn't understand.
Just an opinion of an "old broad"
Posted Jul 25, 2003 at 1:43 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 378
wangoballwime says:
That's right! Everyone has their own right to read whatever they feel is appropriate and cannot be banned legally. Children may have a "personal ban" implemented on them by their parents, which is their decision, but institutions such as schools have no authority to do that.
Posted Jul 25, 2003 at 1:57 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1124
mattie says:
Were i come from the most people doesn't care what you'r reading...
I agree that i should be the parents who decide what their children are allowed to read and not allowed to read. End of story..
Posted Jul 25, 2003 at 3:29 PM EST
Animagus
Points: 19544
Sirius-Ella says:
Well, I have to agree, except maybe porn magazines lol!! I would love to ban those *gag*...anyway I love reading
Posted Jul 25, 2003 at 6:22 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1065
Lerah99 says:
Fantastic!!!! I am so glad that the judge ruled in favor of Harry Potter. My local library holds a celebration once a year where they highlight all the books that have been banned and burned throughout the years. Even the children's section displays a bunch of books from Grimms Fairy Tales to Huck Finn. In recent years they had Harry Potter displayed as well.
Abessette I am so glad that your library has that policy. I know that I spent a great deal of time check out books considered "too old" for me as a child. It would have destroyed me if a librarian had censored my reading by insisting for parental consent.
Posted Jul 25, 2003 at 11:23 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2303
padfoot5312 says:
Abessette – I agree with this. Parents should know and have a say in what their children read. As a parent, I never expected the Librarian to watch what my children read. That was my job. More parents need to set up and be aware in what their children do.
Lerah99 – Yes, I’m glad also that the judge ruled in favor of Harry Potter. I like the idea that your library shows once a year what books were ban. It’s a great idea.
Posted Jul 26, 2003 at 9:46 PM EST
Squib
Points: 191
kanismajor says:
I just want to say I have many friends who cant read Harry Potter because of relegious reasons, but that dosent stop us from being friends. If schools need permission slips, it takes all but 5 seconds to sighn them, and leave it at that. People need to respecet eachothers feelings.
Posted Jul 26, 2003 at 11:26 PM EST
Witch
Points: 979
Butterbeer says:
Harry has got kids to read. period. All of the people who make a big deal out of it shold go tell someone who cares.
Posted Jul 28, 2003 at 8:26 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2303
padfoot5312 says:
Kanismajor – Good point on the permission slips, it would only take a parent a short time to read and sign so their children could read the book. More people do need to respect others.
Posted Aug 1, 2003 at 5:07 PM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
I agree. Everyone should have the right to read whatever they want, even if someone told them that they can't. PLus, Harry Potter has gotten kids to read, and I am one of them ... :)
Posted Jul 18, 2004 at 2:39 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 18
witchatheart116 says:
I agree copletely and congratulate the mother. Good for her to actually be on the right side in the courtroom. One thing that really makes me mad is that schools that ban this teach children to read, yet ban what they want to read. I mean no offense whatsoever to the bible, but when you were 9-12, would your want to read that for fun?? I don't think so. Then what is to be concluded is that schools first make the readers of the books than forbid them from doing what they have taught them how to do. Also I am so glad that people started to care the tiniest bit about childrens right to freedom of speech. I beleive they is no "catch" in the constitution that says that freedom of speech doesn't apply to children. Some of the people who fought in our wars were just that, children. Thus, don't you think children should get a little more respect
Posted Jan 14, 2005 at 10:34 PM EST