Speak Loudly

[heatherwpetty]

Today, the book community is speaking out about SPEAK, Laurie Halse Anderson's controversial and award-winning book about rape and how hard it is to give voice to our pain.

And, of course, as it's the season for book banning, someone wrote an article about how disgusting it is that there are books in our school libraries, being taught in the

Comments

Bravo!!

[anonymous]

*claps loudly*

Thank you, Heather, for saying it so very eloquently.
-Sophie
(@katarinasmama)

Vested interest in maintaining the patriarchy

[billcameron]

Men like Scroggins have a personal, vested interest in maintaining the patriarchal culture which looks at rape as a "boys will be boys" non-issue and which looks to maintain its power over women and girls through slut-shaming and other marginalizing behaviors. Scroggins' posture has nothing to do with God or morality or "protecting children" and everything to do with power and control. If he really cared about protecting children, he'd celebrate books like this. But what he knows is the knowledge and understanding which come out of books like this serve to empower children. Empowered children grow up to be empowered adults. An empowered people can't be controlled by his fear and hate.

Re: Vested interest in maintaining the patriarchy

[heatherwpetty]

I completely agree with you.

I also agree that many of the books coming out in YA right now are dangerously empowering... in only the best way.