Speaking up

I don't normally do this kind of post, because I'm not this kind of blogger. But I'm sad and mad, so I thought I'd share.

Last Christmas, I read the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. It's not the type of book I normally read (realistic fiction), and it's certainly not the type of book I normally read when I'm on vacation (depressing). But I had heard wonderful things and I wanted to try something new, so I picked it up. I wasn't sorry.

For those who haven't read it, spoilers: the main character in this book gets raped at a party right before she starts high school. What follows is heartbreaking, hilarious, frustrating, empowering, and hopeful by turns. It's the type of book you wish no one ever had to read (or write) because surely, nothing that terrible ever happens in the world. But let's be honest. The world is full of terrible things and terrible people. Luckily, the world is also full of wonderful things and wonderful people, including Laurie Halse Anderson, who wrote such a powerful book on such a tragic but important topic.

So why do I bring this up now? Because Wesley Scroggins (who?), an associate professor of management (what?) at Missouri State University, recently wrote an opinion piece in his local paper that refers to Speak as soft porn. Because of rape scenes. It's honestly hard for me to wrap my mind around this. Has he read the book? Does he know what rape is? Or porn? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, then my only conclusion is that he must be seriously disturbed. The original article is here, but be warned: don't read it if you don't want to be filled with righteous indignation.

Censorship is ugly, and it's happening right here in the USA. I firmly support people's right to read what they want. Or not read what they don't want. Have there been books that I've set down because the content bothered me? Of course! Lots! But I would never presume to say that a book that bothers me wouldn't be your new favorite or vice versa. So I'm speaking up (and planning a totally rockin' Banned Books Week display).