Because it's not enough that *you* don't read it -- y'gotta make sure others can't, either

[jducoeur]

[Happy birthday to quantumkitty!]

Alison Bechdel (dykestwofstrip) points out today that her acclaimed book Fun Home is now causing protests on the campus of the University of Utah. Students were assigned it in class, got all het up about the depiction of lesbian sex, and want it banned on-campus. The university, to their credit, are mostly sticking to their guns -- the protesting students are allowed to study an alternate selection instead, but the administration is otherwise leaving well enough alone. But of course, the protestors are continuing to make a stink.

I suppose there's a silver lining here: it's probably getting the book a lot more exposure and discussion than it would otherwise get in that neck of the woods, and heaven knows it's a book more people should hear about and read. But man, this is one of those times that I wish I could deliver a metaphorical back-of-the-head whap to an entire group of nitwits...

Comments

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

Yeah; saw that come across the wires, too.

*shakes head*

[evil-macaroni.livejournal.com]

*boggle* IIRC, the depictions of lesbian sex were 1) fleeting and 2) not titillating. These protesting students are idiots - they're allowed to read something else or take another class and they STILL have a problem?! Ugh.

[fitzw.livejournal.com]

The depiction of lesbian sex, as I recall, weren't all that detailed (although I'm sure that's not the point), but the politics of DTWOF are certainly not what I would call subtle.

I enjoy the comic when I read it, though.

[lecil.livejournal.com]

*Ahem*. If a student in a biology class decided that s/he was offended that evolution was part of the cirriculum, would s/he be allowed some "alternative" course work?

Learning includes the danger of being exposed to subjects and issues which will challenge, and yes, sometimes offend. If you're not willing to leave your tiny world-view, perhaps higher education isn't the place for you.

*Hrumph*