Harry Potter is evil

Or at least, that's what a mom here in Gwinnett County says. Yet another parent wanting to take the series out of schools in the county. Yet another person that says the books promote the occult.

Anything that suggests anything someone else doesn't like, promotes an idea that must be evil. It goes back a long way, when some of the classics started being banned for their ideas. Most are still around, most are well worth the read. Here in Georgia, you'll find quite a few books that have been challenged. So Harry Potter being added to the list is no surprise.

But what about these? "The Color Purple", Maya Angelou's "I know why the caged bird sings", "George's Marvelous Machine" by Ronald Dahl, "Goosebumps" by R.L. Stine and plenty of others. I know people have a difference of opinion, but sometimes that difference is just too much. Perhaps the parents should be responsible for the education of their children and making sure their kids read only what they believe should be read. Leaving other children to their own beliefs and the direction of their parent/guardian? Isn't that a novel approach? Maybe if parents concentrated on the problems of their own kids, the kids might benefit (see previous post).

I am a firm believer of talking to your kids and explaining WHY. If you truly believe your kids shouldn't read something, tell them and explain WHY. You never know, they might actually take your word for it.

Of course, look for my blog on the 'banned' list for even suggesting such an idea. If you're interested in looking back at banned books in Georgia, check out this web site.