Date: Thursday, April 1, 1993
Source: Diane L. Schirf.
Section: PERSPECTIVE
Column: Voice of the people (letter).
Dateline: CHICAGO
Copyright Chicago Tribune

FOR WIDE EXPOSURE

Now I know what it is that angers me about parents such as letter-writer Mark Vassmer (Voice, March 11). While claiming that the ACLU “does not trust the people to govern themselves,” he would take away that very right by denying all schoolchildren access to books that do not meet his personal standards for his own children. If you do not want your children to read Judy Blume (or “Tom Sawyer” or “Catcher in the Rye” or any of the other popular books to ban), that is your right.

But I would want my children to have access to them so they can develop into open-minded, analytical, well-read individuals. Removing books from schools and libraries is not the answer. Taking the time to discuss books and the ideas presented in them with your children is.

In spite of (or maybe because of) the fact that I had access to and was allowed to read any number of “controversial” books, I believe I have grown into a moral, rational adult. I wonder if the same can be said of those who would dictate their beliefs to the rest of us.