Contest: Supporting books, not banning them
For those of you on Twitter, most of you may have seen the numerous #SpeakLoudly hashtags yesterday about banned books. Most notably, the tweets were addressing a rather narrow-minded associate professor of management at Missouri State University by the name of Wesley Scroggins, who is blatantly claiming that the Young Adult book "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson should be banned because of some scenes he describes as "softly pornographic", which in fact are scenes of rape. I don't know about you, but my first thought was: What the fucking hell???
Now granted, I have not read the book myself, but I have seen and blogged about the movie because I felt it was a glimpse of the very stark reality of what happens to a lot of teenage girls. As a woman, rape is a legitimate and very real fear, and anytime some moron comes out and puts the blame on the victim, or turns it into something titillating and salacious, my first reaction is that I want to them to experience firsthand exactly what it is they are ignoring. This jackass and his uninformed opinions raised my hackles, and made me more determined than ever that this book not be banned.
I'm not the first, and hopefully I won't be the last, to stand up and want to do something. So today I'm joining a long list of book lovers and believers in the freedom of speech to support these books, and to hopefully get them back on the shelves. I hope you will join me.
So for the next 2 weeks, ending at noon CST on Saturday, October 2nd, I'm going to have a contest to win a copy of this book. Or, if you've already read it and would like to read another book on the banned book list, I will buy a copy and send it to you. (You can go here for a list banned and challenged books). Contest is open to everyone. Just leave a comment.
For more ways you can help, you can visit Laurie's blog and just follow the links.
And please stop by CJ Wine's blog and read one courageous author's own account as she SPEAKS OUT against banning books. If this doesn't move you, I don't know what will.
Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read
September 25−October 2, 2010
SUPPORT BOOKS!!!!
Labels: banned books, contest, SPEAKing out
I'm putting this on my TBR. Controversy always seems to help versus hurt, but in this case, I think it's silly to force your own opinion on others. Books are subjective. I have read things that are controversial that I loved while I've read things that friends loved and I hated.
byThanks for the giveaway!
byPlease enter me.
lucybeugelingramos@gmail.com
Please enter me in your giveaway.
bybkhabel at gmail dot com
Great contest! I just bought this book (how could I not after reading all this stuff about it?!) but there are some great choices on the 'naughty list.' Seriously, what is wrong with some people?
byI want to enter and read this one. I was just horrified what that man thought, it is not a book that should be banned or forgotten
byI went and read the article, and his paper to the school board. It so scares me to see things like this in 21st century America.
byI had the same reaction - WTF?!?! That shit pisses me the hell off! No one, NO ONE, has the right to tell me what I can and can not read regardless of the subject matter. Last I checked, we still lived in America. And FYI - Rape does not equal pornography. Look it up Asshole! Whew! That felt good. :)
byNow I want to read the book. I had a friend that was date raped our freshman year in college. I've seen first hand what rape can do to a person. Ugh this dude is such a jerkoff!
lovetoreadforfun(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm just posted about this ridiculousness but I've actually never read the book. I'd love to read it! I saw the movie though, very powerful.
byThanks!
SmashAttackReads at gmail dot com
Well not only does it piss me off, it REALLY GROSSES ME OUT that this man would read the content and consider it pornographic. That says WAY MORE about him than it does anything else. Just... Dude, you are GROSS and needs to STFU and stop inflicting policies upon other people based on your demented concepts of what turns you on!!!!!!! That is all from me. :)
byIt made me sick to my stomach when I read that man's article. I don't understand how some people think. Thanks for the contest, Stacy. I love all the support I'm seeing in blogosphere.
byI am putting Speak on my To Buy list.
byAfter reading that man's article, I think he must be sick to put such a label on rape.
I'd love to win this, because if I break down and buy it on my e-reader, I won't be able to share it, or donate it to the local kid's branch of my library.
byGood for you for speaking out, and good luck to everyone who enters the contest. (my hotmail is in my account profile, thanks!)
Hi Stacey! Speak is acutally a great book. I read it not too long ago (unfortunately I read it after watching the movie - I usually like to read the book first).
byEvidently this professor doesn't have enough work to do.
Awesome way to support banned books!!
byjeremywest91@gmail.com
I'm putting this one on the tbr pile just to see what all the fuss is about. I've never understood the book banning crowd. Not entering the contest.
by"Banned Book Week" is near and dear to my heart because the banning of books -- any book -- horrifies me.
byI'll definitely have to read SPEAK.
karenwitkowski AT aol(dot)com
honestly im really tired of blow hard christains trashing things when it isnt something they like or something isnt quiet what they dont want it to be irks me more so pisses e off they wanna hide behind faith any wondertheirs so many religions and anti christians dont get me wrong im not haten on christianity im hating on simple minded peopl who wanna hide behind their faith instead of embracing it
byand to call rape soft porn come on wheres his mind really thats almost sick since well he really thought about porn when reading it so yeah whats that say about him
I havent read this book have watche dthe movie and its thought provoking to say the least
It does seem astonishing that the story of a girl's harrowing rape could be seen as any type of porn.
byI haven't read this book, and probably wouldn't have before all of this, but I will be now, so I would like to be entered into your giveaway.
Count me in please ! :)
byuniquas at ymail dot com
well frankly it is wrong to ban any book, regardless of it's content. Now I am curious to read this book, going on the TBR list.
byThanks for the contest!
kcychmistruk at gmail dot com
Thanks for the giveaway!
byamandarwest at gmaildotcom
I can't believe we are in the year 2010 and anyone would listen to such ignorant nonsense.
byGreat interview. Love the comment about Carter Oosterhouse...he is such a hunk. Laurie sure is a sweetheart! I would love to be entered in the contest too.
byjhoorm01atyahoodotcom
Last year I started a new tradition - read a book from the banned list...a kind of thumbing my nose at those that think they need to ban anything off the beaten track. Please don't include me in the giveaway - I will read it or another banned book regardless :)
byIt's 2010 and people are banning books Rediculous!!
byI bet more people will read the book because of all the publicity.
This sounds like a good one-- compelling content. Please count me in. Thank you!
bynfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Please enter me in you giveaway... after hearing some great things about this book, I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks!
byPlease enter me in your giveaway. I would really like to read this book.
byjlynettes at hotmail dot com
Thanks for having this contest :)
bya(dot)long(at)tcu(dot)edu
I haven't read this book, so I'd like to enter your giveaway, please.
byikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca
Thank you for your support Stacy and for your post and speaking up! I was shocked by that article, but so happy to see the solidarity of the book blogging world!
byI haven't read Speak yet, but would love to, especially after all the controversy of the article, it made me more curious and eager to read Speak.
Please enter me too, thank you!
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com