The following is an excerpt from the book, Ricochet River
Pages 125-126:
“Do you guys screw?”
“Well, do you feel her up?” You got a one-track…” “Well do you?”
“That’s retarded,” Jesse said. “You got to work those tits. That’s part of making out.” “It is? I thought that was feeling her up.” “No, that’s just making out. Feeling her up is when you get to the hot wet part. Pussy. You really are retarded. You’ve never done that?” “Nothing below the waist,” I admitted.
Pages 158-159:
What was new was when I opened up Lorna’s raincoat and this incredibly delicious smell came rushing out. Beyond mushrooms, beyond clams-it was pure steamed Lorna-as if I’d lifted the lid on her pressure cooker when I opened that raincoat. It about knocked me out. I buried my face in Lorna’s chest, and her jaws went slack when I kissed her. I thought she was going to swallow me, tongue first, which would have been all right. Lorna arched her back and pressed her hips into me as I fumbled with those hooks to her bra, behind her back. Before I got it all the way loose I felt the juice coming up between my own legs and then the surging release, the warmth spreading inside my pants as Lorna chewed on my ear, and all I could do was kind of bounce on her.
Anyway I don’t mean to complain. Lorna wasn’t complaining. I ran my hand down her warm back and under the band of elastic and lace. When I grabbed a handful of her tight buns it was like turning a doorknob. Lorna twisted around and bit me on the knee. I got her skirt undone and worked it off her while we rolled around some more in the grass and brush, slithering on and off the raincoat.
It was too dark to see much. She clamped my head between her knees when I tried to.
I could have escaped this ridiculous position, but I didn’t. Trouble is, you start thinking. In the silent soft rain I could hear Lorna’s brain clicking, which is not usually a good sign. She didn’t release her viselike grip on my head, but it was fine to just lie there smelling the history of the world…
Steamy, eh? Worthy of any pulp novel, yes? Well, what you would think if that was a book that was REQUIRED reading by 10th Graders; oh, and the above excerpts, they're from the edited version of the book. The book is one of five that the pupils can choose, but should they choose one of the other books they are at a disadvantage because the book (themes, references, etc) is used in two other courses as well as in the english class. BTW - the school district is the North Clackamas High school district in Oregon.
Maybe you disagree with me and you don't think that the language is 'all that bad' - afterall, don't the children hear this type of language all around them? Are we to believe that they aren't exposed to sex, and that this book will suddenly make them want to procreate? No, that's not what is being asserted nor is it the point. The point is that with so much good literature around, why do they have to dreg up this nonsense? The point is that tax payer money and the limited amount of time that they have in the class room is being spent on this trash instead of one of the classics. The point is that even the author says he didn't write this book for teens -
Quoting from an article in the Oregonian, - The man who wrote "Ricochet River" took the latest complaint in stride. "The book gets challenged all the time," Robin Cody said last week. Cody intended the book for adults, but it hit a nerve with teenagers and teachers because of its local setting and timeless themes. "It's temporarily out of print, but we're going to bring it back and make it more appropriate for high school kids," he said.
If the author himself says the book was intended for adults and he is working on an edited version that is more appropriate for high school kids, then the district should wait for the more appropriate version.
The point is that the language and the actions expressed in this book would be banned by the student code of conduct if a student either spoke the language or wore clothing with some of the words on it. From the student-parent handbook regarding rights and responsibilities:
- Proper Language - The use of profanity/inappropriate language will not be tolerated. Students using such language will be consequenced.
- Press - Libel, obscenity, and personal attacks are prohibited.
- School Dress Code Clothing which is suggestive or lewd in nature (containing sexual references or inappropriate language) is not permitted.
- Sexual Harassment - Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct that is directed toward a person because of that person's gender, or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
The point is that the school district does set policy regarding content of films: According to the School District Policy of Feature Films in the Classroom: 1) …shall not allow films containing vulgarity, nudity, explicit sexual scenes, graphic violence, or similar adult material. The district has determined such films are not appropriate for viewing by students at school. If it's not appropriate for viewing, then why would it be appropriate to graphically describe the same "inappropriate" material? Our students have fertile imaginations and these authors paint very real and vivid pictures in the minds of our youth, at least as real as a love scene in a feature film. - But apparently there is no such restriction regarding books, wanna talk double standard?
In the 12th grade, there is another book which the students don't have a choice as to read or not read. The title is Rats Saw God, by Rob Thomas - here are some excerps from it -
“I’ve never masturbated, she said… Boy, I know how long you spend in the bathroom. You best start drinking. ..On my 2nd attempt, I succeeded in standing. ..grabbed the remaining bottle and chugged the dregs.”
“..withdrew the 3-inch pipe and sealed Baggie of marijuana stashed.. throwing on a Dr. Zog’s sex wax T-shirt.. wandered.. down the beach. ..stuffed the bowl of the pipe with what little pot I had on hand.. hadn’t been smoking much lately.. lit the pipe and took the 1st hit. 20 minutes later I was a kite. ..D and I used to lie naked on the floor of her bedroom and study stars..”
There is more, but you get the point. I thought our objective (as parents and teachers) was to dissuade students from sex and drugs - can't tell it from this.
Look, I don't want these books banned, if you're an adult read whatever the heck you want. What I don't want is to force my child to read this dribble. What I don't want is for my taxpayer monies to be spent 'teaching' this garbage. Personally, I'd never read this junk because I consider the writing to be trash; on a side note, my daughter was shocked at the excerpts.
Talk to me, tell me your take on it.
More Later
11 comments:
Hey i totally agree that book is freaking crazy i mean im only in 8th grade but that for school? i know ive prolly read worse but still damn have they read that? the principle? a teacher? ugh anyway
Bye,
*~Stupid Tomboy~*
I'm intrigued by your post. I currently attend UW-Stevens Point, but how I got here is an interesting story. You see, I was born and raised in Oregon, Clackamas County, and the reason my family moved was because of the poor education I was receiving. When we first moved I had a lot of catching up to do with the other kids. Those who had been in Wisconsin school systems all their lives had so much of a headstart on me. Now I'm 18 years old and have a wonderful scholarship to attend a great university, and have no doubt in my mind that opportunities such as this would never have come my way had I not been taken out of the Oregon school systems. As far as the readings go, of course they are trash. To understand it, as I do now, just look at the people who are running the education systems. Need I say more? Oregon's education has gone downhill for many years. Perhaps all it takes is a few determined parents to pull it back up. See what you can do. Good luck to you.
Cate
I agree with your post.
I have young children and I shudder at the thought that should this continue, they will be exposed to such explicit readings even earlier.
I graduated from an Oregon high school, and feel I received an excellent education, but it was a rural district, and it was 20 years ago.
As for the Blog entry, I'm in total agreement.
Why is it we can't exercise our power as voters to set some basic standards of decency? The majority of parents (and I mean it must be at least 90%) would not agree with this kind of lit in school! Is it complacency or a "divide and conquor" mentality by a few in top positions on the school board?
Anyways, thanks again for your comments on my site. I must tell you, though, that that last post (and it is a portrail of my life at its absolute lowest!) is in the middle of my life. There is more to come! That's the trouble with long, drawn-out posts isn't it...it's hard to follow the content unless you have the time to read the context. I do appreciate your input! Keep on bloggin'!
Atrocious.
As a new parent I can only hope we come to our collective senses and fix this before my baby girl is exposed to this in that forum. While I agree she will, if so inclined, be able to find worse in the library (or via the internet) there is a distinct difference between that and it being pushed on her using my tax $s.
For those a little closer to the situation I have two words : home school. Or, private school if you prefer.
/TJ
NIF
TJ,
Before I even got to the end of your comment, when you expressed concern regarding your child, I was already prepared to make the same suggestion to you: Home Schooling.
No I don't think I'd be letting my children read that kind of reading material. That really surprises me that the schools would do that.
That is too much! Defintiely shouldn't be required school reading. That being said, I don't have a problem with kids reading it in their spare time - parent supervision and direction will make sure that it is taken in its proper context or, if the parent wishes, not read at all. Mores change, but that is really not appropriate for high school. It's not like we're talking Huck Finn or To Kill a Mockingbird... I guess I'd need context to see if it was just sex and drugs, or if it makes a point... but yeah -- that's just wrong to require.
Hi there. I just wandered over from memento moron. Good post. Any time you don't approve of anything that your children are being taught in public school you have the right to request alternative material. Unfortunately, most teachers tend to punish the student for being "Different" if they make more work for them.
My oldest child attended public school k-12. My youngest, (I have 2 kids) was homeschooled until 6th grade. He's in 8th grade now, and I am very involved with his education. If things start getting weird I won't hesitate to bring him home again.
The sad part is that less than 20 years ago, not only would this type of "literature" (and I use that term VERY lightly) been TAKEN AWAY from any student in a public high school, but that student would have most likely been SUSPENDED or worse EXPELLED! Now, they are FORCING kids to read this GARBAGE!? I think that when I have kids, they will be home/private schooled, because I see this getting worse (much worse) before it gets better (and if it does at all)!
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