A question re: challenged books...

[Craig3410]

Check out this list...

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.htm

Then check out #88:

Where’s Waldo? by Martin Hanfor


What in the fuck could possibly in any way whatsoever could WHERE'S FUCKING WALDO BE CONSTRUED AS HAVING A REASON TO BAN IT?

What's next? "Oh, let's ban "Green Eggs and Ham! It teaches kids to eat moldy eggs!"

[MountainLaurel]

1. In one of the books

There's a teeny-tiny part of an illustration (if you know Waldo, you realize how much is going on in those photos) that could be construed as two people engaging in sexual activity,

[zbdent]

2. Let me guess

Scooter's and the Falafel Kink's aren't on the list . . .

[SmokingJacket]

3. Interesting...

Does this list mean the books are "banned" from school libraries, or what, exactly? Because frankly, I sure would hate tax dollars going to buy copies of Madonna's "Sex" for my kids' school. Doesn't mean I'm in favor of censorship just because I'd prefer they buy books with at least a bit of educational value.

Same with Waldo, for that matter: my kids have all those books, but they're games, not really books. When school budgets are being cut to the bone, shouldn't they buy books that teach something, or have a drop of literary worth?

However, if Waldo is being chased out of public libraries because, say, someone thinks that striped shirt is a Satanic symbol, that's a whole other thing.

I think there are a number of issues that get blurred together a bit under the whole "censorship" rubric.