You're peddling WHAT from your locker?

[zeitgeist]

Literature?

Is it OK to run an illegal library from my locker at school? - Yahoo! Answers

Is it OK to run an illegal library from my locker at school?
Let me explain.

I go to a private school that is rather strict. Recently, the principal and school teacher council released a (very long) list of books we're not allowed to read. I was absolutely appalled, because a large number of the books were classics and others that are my favorites. One of my personal favorites, The Catcher in the Rye, was on the list, so I decided to bring it to school to see if I would really get in trouble. Well... I did but not too much. Then (surprise!) a boy in my English class asked if he could borrow the book, because he heard it was very good AND it was banned! This happened a lot and my locker got to overflowing with the banned books, so I decided to put the unoccupied locker next to me to a good use. I now have 62 books in that locker, about half of what was on the list. I took care only to bring the books with literary quality. Some of these books are:

>The Perks of Being a Wallflower
>His Dark Materials trilogy
>Sabriel
>The Canterbury Tales
>Candide
>The Divine Comedy
>Paradise Lost
>The Godfather
>Mort
>Interview with the Vampire
>The Hunger Games
>The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
>A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
>Animal Farm
>The Witches
>Shade's Children
>The Evolution of Man
> the Holy Qu'ran
... and lots more.

Anyway, I now operate a little mini-library that no one has access to but myself. Practically a real library, because I keep an inventory log and give people due dates and everything. I would be in so much trouble if I got caught, but I think it's the right thing to do because before I started, almost no kid at school but myself took an active interest in reading! Now not only are all the kids reading the banned books, but go out of their way to read anything they can get their hands on. So I'm doing a good thing, right? Oh, and since you're probably wondering "Why can't you just go to a local library and check out the books?" most of the kids are too chicken or their parents won't let them but the books. I think that people should have open minds. Most of the books were banned because they contained information that opposed Catholisism. I limit my 'library' to only the sophmores, juniors and seniors just in case so you can't say I'm exposing young people to materiel they're not mature enough for. But is what I'm doing wrong because parents and teachers don't know about it and might not like it, or is it a good thing because I am starting appreciation of the classics and truly good novels (Not just fad novels like Twilight) in my generation?

* 3 months ago

Additional Details
More books I have:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Slaughterhouse-5
Lord of the Flies
Bridge to Terabithia
Catch-22
East of Eden
The Brothers Grimm Unabridged Fairytales.
...the list goes on.

3 months ago
Twilight is banned also, but I don't want that polluting my library.

3 months ago
As for getting the press involved, reporters are not allowed on campus. Besides, my parents would be so mad if they found out I was doing this.

"Is it OK?" Heck, I applaud her.

[bssage]

Zeit I am going to play devil's advacote.

Because we disagree with the policy we aplaud her for clearly and knowlingly circumventing the policy of the school. Wouldnt that be simular to me applauding a pot dealer for selling pot because I disagree with the law?

IMO School is more than the knowledge gathered reading thier books. Its about learning social skills. Learning to function within the guidlines of the institution we are are in. There are many policy's at work and in different places I frequent that I dont agree with. And IMO, my opinion is the correct one. I cant smoke at the public pool even if I am several hundred feet away from other people and policing my litter.

Right or wrong the powers that be at that school got together and decided somethings were counter productive to achieving thier goals. The parents abviously have agreed to allow the school to have some control or they would simply send there kids to a different school. And the kids are 10 to 12th grade old enough to go to a public library and get thier own books. Because they can.

This is more about someone who disagree's with the policy and has decided to take it upon themself to devise a shortcut. Rather than take the time and hard work involved to facilitate real change. Her change will only take place with her. It begins there and likely will end there. Thats not change.

I think in the long run her and her peers would be better served learning and mastering the processes that are involved in bringing about something real.

Just IMO

[Xero]

No, I don't agree with it. That kind of thing isn't what school is for. Kids are there to learn and to focus on what the teachers have for them to do. All of that crap this kid is doing really isn't necessary, and I highly doubt kids are as interested in it as the kid claims.

And not only that, but this kid sounds like a total smart a**. If he/she appreciates good literature, then they would know that the popularity of the book among young people (Twilight) does not determine the quality of the writing itself. I find it pretty smart a** and childish for this kid to talk crap on a really well written book like that, but then claim to appreciate reading good books.

Otherwise I agree with bssage. Just because it involves books doesn't make it some godly thing to do. If I thought one of those books had something really offensive in it that I didn't want my kids reading until they were older (not likely, just saying for the sake of the possibilities and the lifestyles of other parents) and I was under the assumption that my kids were safe from these books at school, and then I found out that some kid was going out of his way to break all the rules to get the book to my kid. I'd be pretty mad.

But there are plenty of reasons why this is a bad idea, and I don't appreciate it personally. Those kids have a library if they want to read, and the only ones that are coming to this kid are the ones that like to read in the first place. He's not doing anything special by having the "illegal" ones available for the readers to read. He's just pretty full of himself.

[Father_0f_7]

I send my younger kids to private school but next year they will not be going because their teachers are As*es. Private schools have different rules, you deal with it or dont send your child there.

Personally, I do not think what the CHILD is doing is right, and if it were my kids there would be consequences.

Private school is not cheap, those parents send their child there because of the safety, and sometimes yes, the strict rules and guidelines. While I may not agree with the terms, ultimately it isnt my decision. The books were probably banned because parents of students complained, therefore the school didnt want to take a chance of someone getting offended.

Do I think the books should be banned...NO, but they are. do I think you should run a library in the locker next to you...NO.

[AmyBelle]

Originally Posted by Xero

And not only that, but this kid sounds like a total smart a**. If he/she appreciates good literature, then they would know that the popularity of the book among young people (Twilight) does not determine the quality of the writing itself. I find it pretty smart a** and childish for this kid to talk crap on a really well written book like that, but then claim to appreciate reading good books.

Well written? The dribble? Dude were we reading the same book?

*runs and hides under a table from all the Twilight fans*


I think this kid is pretty awesome. HAHA. That would have been something I would have done in school and if it was my kid and their principal was telling me about my child running an illegal library from their locker I would be on the floor in hysterics. What kind of ridiculous school bans books? Why? Is it their content? Because ive read most of those books and I dont see anything wrong with them.

When I was in high school my friend and I ran a chocolate shop out of my locker because our canteen didnt sell lollies or chocolates so before school we would go to the milk bar and buy a whole shitload of lollies and chocs and sell them for twice the price. We were trying to save up for a Kombi van. We ended up spending all the money on records though.

[Jeremy+3]

If you don't like the school rules then don't pick that school for yourself.

[Xero]

Exactly, Jeremy+3.

AmyBelle, all I'm going to say is don't quote me just to be rude. I don't care what kind of books you like, or if you like the books that I do.

[Dadu2004]

I certainly don't agree with this student doing this. The books are banned for a reason...right or wrong, they're banned. If you don't like that they're banned, have the kids read them in the privacy of your own home, go to a library, or switch schools. The rules of the school are in place to protect the MAJORITY of students...unfortunately, as in any situation where there are rules, not everyone will agree with them. If you don't agree with them, find a different setting to achieve the goals that you want.

[littlebit1901]

While I kind of think it's cool in a rebellious way, rules are rules and applauding this kid for their actions is like telling them if they don't like the rule or think it's stupid then it's okay to break it. And that is a bad lesson to learn in life and will only get him/her in trouble. This kid needs to bring the issue up to their parents to take to the school and if they can't resolve the issue, then the kid can go to a different school next year.

[IADad]

First, I think it's a shining example of why prhibition doesn't usually work verry well.

I'll agree that the rebelion is natural and understandable, but I think Bssage's post said most of what I wanted to.

This young person knows what they are doing is wrong. Why did they post it? Are they looking for approval or begging for someone to stop them/ It's one thing if they were bringing these books to school for themselves, but she is actually enticing other's to break the rules too.


And Zeit..., Really, un-qaulified applause?