Fear of Gay Penguins? These People Are Crazy!
December 20, 2006: Awhile ago, I became aware of a “controvery” because some backwards school district somewhere in the dark heart of this country was protesting the availabliity of “And Tango Makes Three,” a story of two male penguins who raise an abandoned egg. To see what all the fuss was about - and to support the put-upon author - I bought the book from Amazon.com.
Of course, the story was sweet and harmless. But not according to the good people of N.C. where some extremely small-minded people are once again trying to ban the book. This is from Charlotte.com:
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Superintendent Peter Gorman and his top lieutenants have ordered a picture book about presumably gay penguins removed from school libraries, the first time Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has banned a book in more than a decade.
But Gorman said Tuesday he’ll let a committee review the decision after Charlotte Observer questions revealed he and his staff sidestepped CMS policy.
The ban came from a miscommunication between him and his chief of staff, Robert Avossa, Gorman said. “I screwed this one up.”
“And Tango Makes Three,” the real-life story of “the very first penguin in the zoo to have two daddies,” has drawn objections in schools or public libraries in seven states.
All decided to keep the book, according to the American Library Association. Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s public library has also rejected a request to remove it, a spokeswoman said.
CMS pulled the penguin love story without a formal complaint. Gorman said a couple of parents had asked him about the book, in which two male penguins at New York’s Central Park Zoo pair up and hatch an adopted egg, and Republican county commissioner Bill James had e-mailed him.
Interestingly - the story says that the book-burner Gorman didn’t even receive complaints - just inquiries from parents. But that wasn’t enough to stop the horrowshows quoted below from sending this notice to all schools in the district:
On Nov. 30, top CMS administrators Ruth Perez, Ronald Dixon and Gloria Miller sent a memo to principals and media specialists explaining the decision to ban the book from all schools.
“First, it is a picture book that focuses on homosexuality. Second, we did not feel that such information was vital to primary students. Next, we did not believe the book would stimulate growth in ethical standards, and the book is too controversial.”
My question is, why are we allowing mentally ill people to be “top administrators? Anyone who feels threatened by a picture book about penguins has very serious problems which require psychiatric help, not appointments to high-ranking positions in our public schools.
By the way, the book is based on an absolutely true story about two male penguins. G-d forbid we let our children read the truth!
Meanwhile, librarians continue to be one of the few professional groups actually fighting for civil rights and intelletual honesty (unlike, say, politicians). Listen to this righteous fury:
“One parent’s decision shouldn’t dictate whether or not the book is available to all the other families in the community,” said Deborah Caldwell-Stone of the American Library Association. “Any challenge to a book is ultimately an attempt to remove an idea from public discourse.”
Amen, sister, amen.