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MAY 12, 2006 at 3:52 AM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: Gwinnett Daily Post via Yahoo! News
A challenge to remove all of JK Rowling's Harry Potter books from the library shelves of Gwinnett Public Schools in Georgia has failed
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The school board there voted Thursday to keep the books available. It was the final action for a petition that began in November and culminated at an April clash in which nearly 100 people attended to voice their opinions.
Laura Mallory, a parent of three children at an elementary school in the district, argued that the books encouraged witchcraft and demonic activity. It was later revealed that she had never read the books. School board officials said the process for determining the series' suitability was unbiased, and they sought mainly to decide if the books were obscene or not.
Still, removing the books would have opened the school system to "ridicule by many of its citizens as well as citizens of the nation," Su Ellen Bray told the Gwinnett Daily Post.
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Prefect
Points: 303
Draco'sGirl2121 says:
It's so stupid that people wopuld even consider banning the Harry Potter series in schools. There is nothing wrong with children or even young adults getting invloved in worlds that are not real. Its part of life. Where would we be without our imaginations? Isn't that the point of life? to use your imagiation to explore new possiablities. Also, its stupid that the lady in the article that wanted to ban to books hadn't even read them.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 11:26 AM EST
Chief Auror
Points: 15502
auror_potter says:
I can't believe they would actaully try to do something like that!!!! l0l Of course that would only boost JKR's sales.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 11:36 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 368
callieee says:
I find it so ridiculous when people condemn the Harry Potter books without reading them. Silly people.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 12:03 PM EST
Student
Points: 216
slytherinqueen88 says:
Yes! that is so good to hear. I mean what is wrong with some people, there is nothing wrong with the books. Infact they are the most awesome books written in years, so take advantage of that!!!
In our high school, the books are banned for some reason! I hate my high school and can't wait to graduate this year..
Posted May 14, 2006 at 12:37 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
How ridiculous is this!!! I mean , how can you even have the guts to give an opinion in something you haven't read or whatever. And plus, as much as we all wish Hogwarts,the trio, quidditch, Dumbledore and everything existed is pure FICTION. But well, I guess people like this lady just need 15 minutes of fame...poor them...lack of attention.
HARRY POTTER RULES THE WORLD!!
Posted May 14, 2006 at 12:57 PM EST
Squib
Points: 142
EmiriKenobi says:
Goodness gracious...I met a guy like that...Who thought the Harry Potter books were inherently evil...And I argued against him...I actually wrote an English paper about the argument...He'd never read the books, either.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 1:17 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 384
AvadaK says:
Well I for one am pleased to see that it failed. We all know that the HP books are not of demonic activity or witchcraft. It's just magic. Nothing else. My 5 year old loves the series of books as well as the movies and doesn't look at it as being a part of the devil at all. It seems every time a new book comes out then all of the people that think it's devilry come out of the wood-work. It'll probably be the same when Book 7 is released next year. But, we'll see...
Posted May 14, 2006 at 1:23 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
Yay! A victory for Harry Potter. Come on, witchcraft, really? People, get a grip. These books offer so much in life's lessons for kids and adults alike.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 1:40 PM EST
Hogwart's Ghost
Points: 2604
gemma_barnett1985 says:
That it completely ridiculus that she wants to ban the books. Stupid woman, read something before you slate it.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 1:52 PM EST
Witch
Points: 803
ShiningShina says:
People are so stupid! I am so glad this school's board decided to see how ridiculous this suit is.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 1:54 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 408
randomnessthoughts says:
Ha!! That's what happens when ya try to take on the Harry Potterverse.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 3:36 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3045
Tinker.belle says:
Harry Potter demonic?? That's crazy. Besides how can you have an opinio about something if you haven't even tried it yourself.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 4:03 PM EST
Squib
Points: 186
FobeeOne says:
I am so happy to read the school board voted in favor of Harry Potter. The people who wanted the books removed were probably some very conservative Christians (very common in the southeastern US) who believe that everything that isn't Christian is EVIL. I'm a world history teacher in the south and I had an irate parent e-mail me about the fact that I taught her son about "heathen" religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. I firstly pointed out that even by early Christian standards Islam is not a "heathen" religion, and secondly I teach a WORLD history class and that not everybody in the world is Christian.
But I digress...
I think that this is an unfortunate but all too common occurance. I think that of parents don't want their children to read certain books it is up to them - THE PARENTS - to monitor what their children read. I don't have children of my own, but if I did, I would not want some uber conservative parent dictating what books are available at my child's PUBLIC, NON-CHRISTIAN SCHOOL media center. I will be the judge of what my child reads, and I personally don't have a problem with Harry Potter. In fact, I love the books!
Just to give you all an idea of how messed up the US is, here is a list of some of the books that are banned in various school districts around the country:
Anne Frank - Diary of a Young Girl because "it's a real downer."
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory because it presents a poor view of familial relationships.
Le Mort d'Arthur (legend of King Arthur from the 12th century) because "it's crap."
Where the Sidewalk Ends (poems by Shel Silverstein) because they encourage cannibalism.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss because it criminalizes the forestry industry.
Fahrenheit 451 - ironic because it's about book burning.
I could go on and on, but it just makes me angry. I'm afraid of what this country is coming to.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 5:25 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2913
Pema says:
That's pretty silly and ridiculous! You can think whatever you want people, but at least know the facts before you come to a decision. Jeez. "Demonic activity"...
Posted May 14, 2006 at 5:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 991
OffTheLoop says:
That's good. That story was almost like that Weird Sister band trying to ban the GOF movie. All they did was make a fool of themselves....
Posted May 14, 2006 at 5:57 PM EST
Student
Points: 203
silver2195 says:
I find it amusing that everyone often writes the same comment on an article.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 6:02 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2349
PHOENIX5625 says:
There are some crazy people out there. She never read the book how can she say anything about it. And it's just a book, a very good book, but it's getting children to read. There is no bad stuff in there, it's a fictional story.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 6:58 PM EST
Witch
Points: 745
Mrs._Sirius says:
I am glad that they voted to keep the books in the library. I mean, if a person really wanted to read them, they could just go a get them. I just hate this type of censorship! I mean, if you dont want to read them, fine, dont read them. But leave me (And My Kids) alone, and let us read anything we want!! I mean really, there were witches and wizards in "The Wizard of Oz", but nobody tells their kids they cant watch or read that! And really the books are about the fight between good and evil, and the good side is winning. People should want their children to get that message! The tag line for HP & tGoF was, "Difficult times lie ahead. We must choice between what is right and what is easy." Isn't that what life is like. And choicing what is right is the right thing to do. And that is a good message. Anyway, sorry, I am rattling on and on. It just irks me. Glad the library make the "right" choice.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 7:08 PM EST
Mrs. Roonil Wazlib
Points: 2492
weasleyskeepingme says:
Why does it not surprize me that this happened in the South? People are outrageous... condemninh Harry Potter? and without reading?? These people need help.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 7:26 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 416
Draco+Shanua says:
That has to be one of the stupidest things I've heared. Banning Harry Potter Books from a school? Harry Potter doesn't incourage any bad behavior, and there are books way worse.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 7:27 PM EST
Witch
Points: 935
fizzingwhizbees says:
i Think it is ridiculous. Harry only opens up the imagination. They are afriad they wont be able to control the childs every thought and that scares them.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 8:29 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1023
Magical Teapot says:
How dare they! First off, if they don't like the books, they don't have to read them. And second off, people should know what they are talking about before they go on criticizing others.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 8:59 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1018
ravenclaw chick says:
It was later revealed that she had never read the books.
Are you KIDDING me? Oh my gosh, people in this country are SO STUPID! I am so glad that she didn't win! That seriously ticks me off. People just need to mind their own business. If she doesn't want her kids reading Harry Potter, fine, but keep your opinions out of the school districts. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Posted May 14, 2006 at 9:25 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1827
Lady Leo says:
I think it is stupid for people trying to remove BOOKS any kind of book from the library. if they try removing Harry Potter they might as well remove anything by steven king or r.l. stine or any kind of book for that matter. books are important no matter their content.
Selene*
Posted May 14, 2006 at 11:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 639
Harry(the 4th champion) says:
Who in the world would want to take Harry Potter books away!!!!!!!!!!
I would DIE!!!!!!!
Posted May 14, 2006 at 11:50 PM EST
Student
Points: 226
bmacncheese says:
Haha. Demonic activity? Okay whateve. That women needs to get a life.
Posted May 15, 2006 at 12:06 AM EST
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