“F-the children”

I have read an article written by Lisa Chun called “Screw the
Children” published in the “Editorials” section of your newspaper. I
believe that many of the comments in the article hit on a very
sensitive topic, and I believe to have an affect on the readers a writer
must do that. I agree with this article.
The opening statement “f-the children!- better yet, f-purifying our
culture for children.” Is a very realistic comment. Many groups
including parental, reliqious, and flim editing, have tried to protect
children from seeing what could potentially be harming to their
growth. They believe that certain movies and books say and show
things that are harmful for their development. These groups have
tried to edit “The Godfather”, a movie based on the mobb and
organized crime. This movie should not be something seen by a
child, if the parent does not want them to see what is in it. So by
editing it, one is defeating the purpose of watching the movie in the
first place.

Literature is also being affected by these fanatical groups. Classic
books such as “Huckleberry Finn,” and “Of Mice and Men” are just a
couple of books already on a list of “books to be banned from
libraries” that groups and angry parents send in to The American
Library Association.

These parents and groups are offended by some of the statements
and words used in these books and movies. If they are offended,
perhaps they could not read or watch them. And if they have to
watch or read them, they could see it as a history lesson. Being that
the time frame that these books and movies are about, there were
certain things going on. Including the exact things they complain
about, such as the organized crime, which is still going on
underground, and the use of slaves and the “N” word. It is important
to not brainwash kids, and hide them from what we are ashamed of.
We need to teach them how we messed up, so that they can learn
from our mistakes.

Seeing a second of nudity or hearing a curse word, is not going to
screw a kids life up. They will learn them, and use them if they are
hidden from them. If someone tells them that using these words is
not appropriate, and can be mature enough to explain that to their
kids, then it is up to how you raise your kids.

Stop trying to blame your mistakes in raising your child on old
literature or entertaining movies. Someone needs to stand up and
tell these fanatical groups and parents that they have no argument.
Because their kids education starts at home, it is not the publics fault
if they (the kids) see something that they(the parents) didn’nt want
them to. Maybe the parents should spend more time talking with
their kids, and less time complaining about books, and trying to tell
us that what we want to read and write is wrong.

Thank you for taking time to hear my opinion. I appreciate you
allowing to publish the article. We need more papers like yours.

thank you,

Jonathan von Briesen