IT'S ARTHUR'S BIRTHDAY AND HE IS COMING FOR YOUR SOUL
In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, there is one thing that can always bring a smile to our faces - Arthur the aardvark. This lovable character has been entertaining children for decades, with his wholesome adventures and heartwarming life lessons. But it seems like not everyone is a fan of Arthur's innocent charm.
Recently, a conservative activist named Bruce Friedman has filed a challenge to the school district in Clay County, Florida, claiming that Arthur's Birthday is damaging the souls of young children. Yes, you read that right - damaging their souls. Apparently, the mere mention of "spin the bottle" in the book is enough to corrupt the minds of our innocent youth.
Now, I don't know about you, but when I think of things that damage souls, I think of things like war, poverty, and Justin Bieber's early music. I don't think of a children's book about aardvarks having birthday parties. But hey, maybe I'm just not enlightened enough.
Friedman is the president of a group called No Left Turn in Education, which sounds like the name of a terrible GPS system. His group campaigns against critical race theory and other topics that they deem radical or harmful to children. Because apparently, learning about diversity and inclusion is just too dangerous for our fragile little ones.
But here's the thing - Arthur's Birthday is not promoting any kind of radical agenda. It's simply a story about friendship and the challenges that come with growing up. And yes, one of those challenges is having two birthday parties on the same day. It's a relatable struggle that many kids have faced, and it's presented in a fun and lighthearted way.
The mention of "spin the bottle" in the book is hardly scandalous. It's just a joke made by one of the characters, and it's not even a central part of the plot. If anything, it's a nod to older readers who might remember playing that game themselves. But apparently, acknowledging that some kids might have played a harmless party game in the past is just too much for Mr. Friedman.
The fact that this book is even being considered for a ban is ridiculous. It's censorship at its worst, and it sets a dangerous precedent for what kind of literature is deemed acceptable for children. If we start banning books because they mention harmless games or promote diversity, where does it end? Will we ban Charlotte's Web because it promotes interspecies friendship? Will we ban The Cat in the Hat because it promotes breaking and entering?
It's time to stop this madness and let kids read what they want. Arthur's Birthday is a fun and harmless book that has brought joy to countless children over the years. Let's not let one overly-sensitive adult ruin that for everyone else.
In conclusion, I urge the oversight committee in Clay County to reject Mr. Friedman's challenge and allow Arthur's Birthday to remain on library shelves. And if Mr. Friedman is still worried about damaging souls, I suggest he take up a less controversial hobby - like knitting or stamp collecting.
Arthur children’s book faces potential Florida ban over claim it ‘damaged souls’ | Florida | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/28/arthurs-birthday-childrens-book-ban-florida
‘Arthur’ Book Facing Ban in Florida Over This One Wacko Complaint https://www.thedailybeast.com/arthur-book-facing-ban-in-florida-over-this-one-wacko-complaint
THE DEFT DIVE
Arthur's Birthday is a book by Marc Brown, published in 1989, that tells the story of Arthur the aardvark and his friends who have to deal with a conflict of having two birthday parties on the same day. The book is part of the popular Arthur series, which has been adapted into an Emmy-winning animated TV show on PBS.
The book has recently faced a potential ban in Clay County, Florida, after a conservative activist named Bruce Friedman filed a challenge to the school district, claiming that the book "damaged souls". His main objection was that the book mentioned the game of "spin the bottle", which he considered inappropriate for elementary school children. He also accused the book of promoting gender fluidity and indoctrination.
Friedman is the Florida chapter president of No Left Turn in Education, a right-wing group that campaigns against critical race theory and other topics that they deem radical or harmful to children. He has compiled a list of over 3,600 titles that he believes have concerning content, and has challenged 45 of them in Clay County.
The school district spokesperson, Terri Dennis, said that the book was under review by an oversight committee, along with the other challenged titles. She also said that the district values diverse perspectives and encourages parents to be involved in their children's education.
The Florida Freedom to Read Project, a group that advocates for intellectual freedom and opposes censorship, has pushed back against Friedman's challenge, saying that the book is about being inclusive and respectful of all friends. They also pointed out that the game of "spin the bottle" was not actually played in the book, but only mentioned as a joke by one of the characters.
The challenge to Arthur's Birthday has sparked a debate on social media and in the news, with many people expressing their support or criticism of Friedman's actions. Some have defended his right to voice his concerns, while others have accused him of being intolerant and ignorant. Some have also shared their fond memories of reading the Arthur books or watching the TV show as children.
Bing, 7/29/2023
(1) Arthur children’s book faces potential Florida ban over claim it .... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/28/arthurs-birthday-childrens-book-ban-florida.
(2) ‘Arthur’ Book Facing Ban in Florida Over This One Wacko Complaint. https://www.thedailybeast.com/arthur-book-facing-ban-in-florida-over-this-one-wacko-complaint.
(3) Arthur children’s book faces possible Florida ban over fear it ‘damaged souls’. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/arthur-children-s-book-faces-possible-florida-ban-over-fear-it-damaged-souls/ar-AA1evedp.
(4) Arthur book faces possible Florida ban Florida as it 'damaged souls'. https://nypost.com/2023/07/28/arthur-book-faces-possible-florida-ban-florida-as-it-damaged-souls/.
