I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
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Banned?
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And yes, bad things happened to her, but bad things DO happen to people and knowing that is good for kids. There is also kindness, love and humor in this book. The scene in the church where a parishioner 'gets the spirit' and whops the preacher with her purse is hysterical. I got in trouble while reading that section in study hall, my smothered laughter was disturbing those around me...according to Sr. Owens.


Oh, and I should mention that it was reading an online SUMMARY (that was a rather pornographic depiction of the molestation) that caused her and her parents consternation - she never actually cracked open the book.

Having read the book I was surprised that it was described as preaching hatred to whites.
Have to say there are worse books out there than this one.




And whether we like it or not, these things happen in our lives, so why not put it in a book!?




Just look at the depth of black writers and the experience from whence they speak and write rom ... whole different perspective...pain... joy...many cannot begin to relate...


Her depth of knowledge and wisdom comes from much of her views on life..experiences...travels...

If someone doesn't like her as an author, they can choose to read something else. This was the first of her books I have read and I plan to read the rest of them because I enjoyed her writing style and her story.


We here in America are still in denial about alot of things...


True, we see worse on TV.

Donnica wrote: "Dawn wrote: "I do not think this book should be banned. If someone wants to ban this book on the reasons it preaches hatred toward whites, then maybe they didn't live in this area of the United St..."
deleted user wrote: "“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou was challenged quite often due to the poet’s descriptions of being raped as a young girl and because it “preaches bitterness and hatred against whi..."

You would think so, wouldn't you?
Actually, the argument made these days is that certain books should be banned from school libraries and, occasionally, from public libraries, not necessarily banned outright. Upon occasion there is a publicity stunt in which people burn copies of a book, but they actually have to purchase those copies first, or they've committed larceny.
When it comes to schools and libraries there are some slightly different rules as those are publicly funded institutions. Free speech does not mean you get to have your speech in every possible venue on the taxpayer's dime. I would argue, for instance, that Playboy doesn't belong in elementary school libraries, but I'd never argue that it shouldn't exist at all. In fact, I'm pretty sure the publishers of Playboy would agree with me on that one....
Nonetheless, it is amazing how many people will extend the logic that SOME things are not appropriate and use it for issues that they have a problem. They even seem to pick and choose amongst the titles that have such issues with no rhyme or reason. The same arguments made against almost every attempt to censor a book could be made against the Bible, given the contents of that text, but nobody seems to want to make that connection.
At this point, though, I think we need to recognize that anyone with access to the Internet is just a couple of clicks away from some pretty provocative stuff. Attempts to censor sex and violence in prose seem pretty obviously doomed. Given that, I can't help but suspect that most of these efforts to ban a book are really just an attempt to get publicity and attention. They should be recognized for what they are, and those who perpetrate them should be thrown out of office for violating the public trust, or simply recognized as incompetent fools more interested in their own aggrandizement than in "protecting" people from the thing they describe.

Her depth of knowledge and wisdom comes from much of her views on life..experiences...travels..."
Although I Know Why the caged Bird Sings is one of my favorite books of all time, I agree with Donna that I would prefer for my own children to read it in college rather than in high school... I'm not so worried about kids who may have had the experiences Dr. Angelou describes in the book.. I'm more concerned that other students would discover a student who may have experienced the same trauma and react by teasing, taunting, harassing, etc. I think students in college are much more able to handle the insensitivities of others.


Unfortunatly children are molested under the age of 18. Life can be great but they also need to know that there are bad people out there who do bad things. I agree there should be a age limit, however there are children getting molested at a very early age. Its a very hard subject. You dont want to make them afraid of everyone but you have to make then aware of the dangers.

Seriously, would the evils not be the injustices, racism, and, misogyny not be the true evils? Is the brushing it all under the rug and hoping it will go away attitude not contributing to the problem? Would the world not benefit from the discussion of these evils, and hopefully how to prevent them in the future?
No, young children generally should not read this book as they would not be able to understand and process it. However, Gr. 10s are teenagers and likely really would get it.



Girl, you are speaking my language. And we don't ask enough questions. Please read my Blog.


I think we're all in agreement that it shouldn't be banned. I don't even think that terrible books like Mein Kampf should be banned, so of course this life-affirming piece of literature shouldn't be banned!
For school libraries, that's up to the school board, but I think it would be a good addition to the school library for students who are mature enough. And sadly, some students will identify with the themes of racism and rape, and they may draw strength from the way that Angelou overcame her experiences.
However, it's probably not a good book for in-class discussion. Maybe at college level, but not secondary/high school. The subjects may be distressing or triggering for some students, so they should have the choice about whether or not to read this book.

If perhaps in-class discussion would be uncomfortable, perhaps it could be on an optional book report list?




Why does it "take a bit of maturity" to understand molestation, but at any age you can experience it? Why do adults not want to read and explain molestation to their children, but "Uncle Bob" and been molesting a nephew for years? So we continue to deny molestation. Is that the best measure of our lives we can offer to those ignorant of it? I am 64, white, father of 3, grandfather to 9; I have friends, loved ones that have been molested. If I am unable to discuss this with my grandchild, can the school not recommend an autobiographical reading of molestation? I think they can and should.
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