Interesting read here. Not sure which way I fall to tell you the truth. Though I am totally against the message of the book (from what I understand of it) I think if required I would read it and then give my uncensored opinion/thoughts on it. However, I also think maybe Duke and other universities should have a range of books for kids to choose from that they can read, required to read X amount and not all of them. That might cure some of the problems.

 

Duke freshman's moral stance against 'Fun Home' part of a larger movement

 

“I knew from the beginning that this would be controversial,” Duke freshman Brian Grasso told Yahoo News and Finance Anchor Bianna Golodryga on Tuesday.

 

Grasso sparked one of the first controversies of the 2015-2016 school year with a post on the Duke Class of 2019 Facebook page explaining that he would not read Alison Bechdel’s “Fun Home,” part of the school's recommended reading list for incoming freshmen, “because of the graphic visual depictions of sexuality.”

 

“I feel as if I would have to compromise my personal Christian moral beliefs to read it,” Grasso wrote of the graphic-novel-turned-Tony-Award-winning Broadway musical that depicts a young Bechdel’s struggles with her own homosexuality and that of her fathers. And Grasso wasn’t alone. According to an article in the Duke Chronicle—which was subsequently picked up by news outlets nationwide—several students similarly said the book’s sexual imagery conflicted with their religious and moral beliefs.

After further reading, seems like the book isn't actually required, but recommended. Not sure how "strong" that recommendation is...could mean nothing, could be like your boss "recommending" you come in early tomorrow to finish a project.

If the book is only recommended and not 100% required then I say that there is a possibility that this kid is doing the same as the kid down at Betsy Lane, attention.

If the book is only recommended and not 100% required then I say that there is a possibility that this kid is doing the same as the kid down at Betsy Lane, attention.

 

Very possibly...if he didn't "have" to read it, I don't see all the hub-bub.

...

Edited August 26, 201511 yr by BigVMan23
repeated post

These were both in the article, but I'm pulling them out here because I think Lutkianoff makes a good point and his article with Jonathan Haidt is worth a read (I have a lot of thoughts on that one as well).

 

“What we’re seeing here is a phenomena in which students are seeking not freedom of speech but freedom from speech they dislike,” said Greg Lukianoff, a constitutional lawyer and president of the Foundation for Individual Rights on Campus, or FIRE, which advocates for free speech on college campuses.

 

Link to the article: How Trigger Warnings Are Hurting Mental Health on Campus - The Atlantic

 

There certainly appears to be a trend where college students are responding (and are encouraged to respond by all-to-happy-to-appease-their-delicate-bundles-of-tuition administrators) to beliefs they don't like by demanding censorship, essentially. This is troubling for a lot of reasons.

Why is it that colleges have books they "recommend" or "require" Freshmen to read? I never understood that.

Why is it that colleges have books they "recommend" or "require" Freshmen to read? I never understood that.

 

I think most universities have a required class for freshmen which are pretty light and more about adjusting students to university life. They usually assign a specific book to universalize the classes, the freshmen talk about it, the author comes to speak, etc.

I think most universities have a required class for freshmen which are pretty light and more about adjusting students to university life. They usually assign a specific book to universalize the classes, the freshmen talk about it, the author comes to speak, etc.

 

True. I have some buddies that graduated from EKU. "Run Spot Run" was on their freshman reading list. Went way over most of their heads.:popcorn:

This adds absolutely nothing to the discussion, but ....

 

The Broadway musical based upon the book won the Tony Award for Best Musical this year.

I believe NKU had one called "Love My Riffle More Than You." Author came to speak. Said she was pro Obama and several people got up and walked out. I just never understood why they assign these books that a lot of people (or me I guess) have never heard of.

Dude. Nobody is asking you to change your beliefs.

 

Rejoice in the fact that reading, then challenging this books message with your own moral stance will strengthen your faith.

 

Refusing to read it is soft if the book is "required."

 

If it's just recommended, then I don't see what the hubbub is about.

This adds absolutely nothing to the discussion, but ....

 

The Broadway musical based upon the book won the Tony Award for Best Musical this year.

This doesn't have anything to do with the conversation either....but does the book have pictures? :jump:

This doesn't have anything to do with the conversation either....but does the book have pictures? :jump:

 

It is a graphic novel, which is code for adult comic book - so yes.

No one has any trouble with a college course assigning a comic book as an academic exercise? Sounds like an easy class all the football players will sign up for.

 

okay, that was tongue-in-cheek, but it does raise a point.

 

Sounds like the young man has more sense than his professors. Isn't there a book that would raise the issues faced by homosexuals, such as social stigma, discrimination, issues with their faith, unique health issues, etc. without having graphic sexual depictions?

 

For some reason our culture doesn't think literature, a movie, TV show, comedy, musical, or stand-up routine can be worthy "art" unless it is sexually explicit and in some way shocking. Personally, it makes me think the person doesn't have the talent or intellect to convey a message or hold one's interest so they resort to what's cheap and easy. An institution of higher education should hold its students to a higher standard and provide examples of that higher standard.

 

I also agree that if there are books that he is allowed to read as a substitute there is no issue. However, he is still allowed to express his opinion regarding the content of a book and the course. He is paying for it.