A former Tory councillor has sparked outrage after trying to ban a novel from a school in Weymouth, Dorset. The book, Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman, was removed from the Year 10 reading list due to concerns over its language and content.
Kelman argues that this move is not only misguided but also an attempt to impose a narrow and exclusive worldview on students. He points out that his novel, which explores themes of social injustice and violence, engages young readers at a deeper level than other texts available in schools.
Kelman has spoken about the discomfort he experienced while reading challenging literature as a teenager, including Jim's enslavement in Huckleberry Finn and the human capacity for cruelty in Slaughterhouse-Five. He believes that these experiences helped shape his intellectual curiosity and emotional sensitivity, and that they connected him to the world in a meaningful way.
He argues that avoiding difficult content can lead to desensitization and a deficit of empathy, which is essential for navigating the complexities of modern life. Kelman believes that schools should be breeding grounds for empathy, where students are guided through their discomfort and encouraged to find clarity of thought within it.
The decision to remove Pigeon English from the school reading list has been met with criticism from many educators and readers who value the book's ability to engage young people with difficult themes. Kelman's response highlights the importance of teaching literature that challenges students' perspectives and encourages them to think critically about the world around them.
By removing this novel from the classroom, schools may be depriving students of an opportunity to develop empathy and understanding of complex social issues. As Kelman so eloquently puts it, "books remain one of the best tools we have at our disposal for preparing young people to navigate the prevailing forces of discomfort and disorder that shape our world."
Kelman argues that this move is not only misguided but also an attempt to impose a narrow and exclusive worldview on students. He points out that his novel, which explores themes of social injustice and violence, engages young readers at a deeper level than other texts available in schools.
Kelman has spoken about the discomfort he experienced while reading challenging literature as a teenager, including Jim's enslavement in Huckleberry Finn and the human capacity for cruelty in Slaughterhouse-Five. He believes that these experiences helped shape his intellectual curiosity and emotional sensitivity, and that they connected him to the world in a meaningful way.
He argues that avoiding difficult content can lead to desensitization and a deficit of empathy, which is essential for navigating the complexities of modern life. Kelman believes that schools should be breeding grounds for empathy, where students are guided through their discomfort and encouraged to find clarity of thought within it.
The decision to remove Pigeon English from the school reading list has been met with criticism from many educators and readers who value the book's ability to engage young people with difficult themes. Kelman's response highlights the importance of teaching literature that challenges students' perspectives and encourages them to think critically about the world around them.
By removing this novel from the classroom, schools may be depriving students of an opportunity to develop empathy and understanding of complex social issues. As Kelman so eloquently puts it, "books remain one of the best tools we have at our disposal for preparing young people to navigate the prevailing forces of discomfort and disorder that shape our world."
. Can't help but wonder why they chose Pigeon English specifically? Is it because it's a tough read or what? 
Any sources saying this book is more off-putting than other novels in the same grade level? 
I'm so glad someone like Stephen Kelman is speaking out about this! Removing books from school reading lists just because they're considered "challenging" is a total bummer 
. I mean, what's the point of learning if we're not going to confront some tough stuff? 
Empathy and understanding are so important for building a compassionate society, and it's our responsibility as educators to help students develop those skills.
When we're forced to confront our own discomfort and biases, that's when we start to grow and learn. It's not always easy, but it's worth it in the end.
. By removing books like Pigeon English from the reading list, we're depriving students of a valuable tool for navigating life's challenges. We need more teachers like Stephen Kelman who are willing to take risks and challenge our assumptions 
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they were like, $5 a pop but totally worth it. i mean what's not to love about a cookie that looks like it was made by a feathered friend? anyway back to this book thing... has anyone read Pigeon English? it sounds soooo interesting! and i feel like schools should be all about exploring the hard stuff with their students, you know, to help them become better humans 
. This move is a total overreaction - like, Pigeon English is a great book that actually makes you think about stuff 
. Kelman's right on point, schools should be fostering empathy and critical thinking, not shielding kids from the world's problems 
how can they just ban a book like that? it's not like it's going to corrupt the kids or anything. schools should be about broadening their horizons, not limiting them. i mean, come on, it's called "Pigeon English" - what's wrong with a little bit of uncomfortable reading? 
. anyway, i think this councillor needs to get out more. read some books, talk to people from different backgrounds... maybe then they'd understand why this book is important. 
. But looking back, I realize it was actually a really valuable experience that made me think critically about racism and inequality.
. Schools should be places where students feel comfortable exploring tough questions and ideas – not avoiding them 
. Kelman makes a solid point that we need to be challenging our students' perspectives and encouraging them to think critically – what's wrong with a little discomfort, anyway? 
I mean, what's next? Banning books because they make you uncomfortable? That's like saying a horror movie is too scary to show kids... just 'cause it might freak 'em out. 
I don't get why some folks can't handle a little controversy in literature. It's all about developing those empathy skills, right? 
Maybe we should be teaching kids to navigate those uncomfortable feelings instead of avoiding them altogether?