Found this in the Que

September 2010: Banned Book Week

I've always heard of books being on the "banned" list, but I never really knew what that meant. Until now.

Banned or challenged books are works that certain groups or individuals feel should be censored and/or made unavailable to the general public. Mostly they feel that the censorship will protect those who have impressionable minds. "Harry Potter" by J.K. Rowling made the list for witchcraft (a church in Alamo actually burned this book) and "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway was banned for homosexual suggestion.

Small towns have a bad reputation for being closed minded, so I was pleasantly surprised that the Friends of the Library were hosting a series of events during the annual celebration of freedom of speech, freedom to read, aka Banned Book Week (always the last week in September).

On Tuesday, the community college hosted a read-aloud-session where everyone was encouraged to read aloud from their favorite banned book. I totally missed this, but I heard it was good. On Friday, the library is having a community viewing of "The Lovely Bones," based on the 2002 book by Alice Sebold. This was banned/challenged for content inappropriate for its age group.

On Wednesday, the FOL held a Banned Book Week Costume Gala. Participants were encouraged to dress up as a character from their favorite banned book.

How could I pass up an opportunity to dress up? I literally put my costume together in an hour (with help from mom).

I portrayed “Offred” from “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. This feminist dystopia novel was required reading in my AP English class in 1998. It was placed on the “list” in 1999 or 2000. I chose it because the costume was super easy to do and it is a book that has stuck with me all these years. A well crafted piece about freedoms lost and a new age of oppression. It was banned/challenged for violence against women and sexual content.

There were 20 people who showed up, with half of us in costume. I didn’t know there was going to be a contest, but it was a bonus! Especially when you win “Best in Show” or Best overall Representation. I'm an award winning poodle. I know, way cool. And you thought my talents were only for writing. I had my first pick of prizes and of course chose a gift card to the local book store. Predictable, I know. I also made the paper. Here is the link to the article. http://www.alamogordonews.com/ci_16222379

Regardless of close minded idiots who think they know better than us, those of us with common sense can think critically about the issues tackled in the banned/challenged literature, and make up our own minds.
I enjoyed participating in this week of events. In honor of reading from the list of banned books, I chose to read “Speak” (1999) by Laurie Halse Anderson. It is currently being challenged for pornography. Some stupid idiot thinks that a tragic and horrible rape is pornographic. (I roll my eyes). It was a well written piece, and surprisingly funny, given the topic.

Perhaps next year, you'll be inspired to step outside your comfort zone and participate in Banned Book Week.

May you read something that challenges you to think today.

Halloween is a Scream!

We spent Halloween in Alamogordo this year and, man, what an exhausting weekend.

Since I wasn't motivated to do the group/family costume this year, Ariel was the only one who dressed up. She has her whole life to be something cute or pretty, so I was going for something less typical.

And so, Ariel was a rock star! A punk rock star, actually.

Over the course of Halloween weekend, she got to wear her costume three times. Now that's what I'm talking about.

Thursday: Eric carved the pumpkin we picked out a few days earlier. We wanted Ariel to help with the gutting process, but as soon as she touched the slimy, stringy innards, she gagged so hard, she nearly puked. Awesome. Daddy went solo on the carving this year and he did a mighty fine job.

Friday: Eric, Ariel, and I went to downtown Alamogordo for trick-or-treat. The participating businesses invite the kids to the door for their goodies and Mom and Dad get to scope out some shopping. The first stop we made, Ariel tried to say "trick-or-treat" and we did manage a thank you out of her. But after that, it was all silent staring. Well, who doesn't like the strong but silent rock star type?
loot bag #1
Saturday: We headed to "Zoo Boo" at the Alameda Park Zoo. It absolutely was a zoo that had nothing to do with the animals. The line to get in was so long, it looped back on itself. Ahhh! I entered Ariel in her first costume contest in the "Most Unique" category. There was a cute category, but that was over saturated with 110+ entrants! She didn't place, but seemed to have a good time on stage. I don't remember what costumes bet her out, but one of them for sure was an astronaut. I now have some neat ideas for future costumes. One of my personal costume highlights was a kid dressed as a toy machine. Like one of those filled with stuffed animals you have to try to get with the metal claw. Yeah, and stupid me didn't get a picture. There was a winner's light on top, money in the shoot, and an actual claw hanging from the ceiling of the box this boy was in. Costuming genius.

Saturday night: My mom and I took Ariel for another round of trick-or-treat in the mall. Our little rock star was quite content to just run around the mall looking cute. Ariel had no interest in begging for candy. Every time I took her hand for the trick-or-treat ritual, she would fuss and try to shake my hand loose. It could have been a lot more fun if we had taken naps after the zoo. But when the princess boycotts her nap, nobody sleeps.

loot bag #2

Sunday: Ariel put the stickers on her pumpkin she picked out at the pumpkin patch. We left it outside to hang with Big Jack so the passing trick or treaters could see her artistic abilities. We left the neighborhood canvas to the professionals and stayed inside with the lights off. Or so I thought.

One of my mom's friends asked if Ariel wanted to trick-or-treat with her granddaughter, Riley. I just couldn't say no to Riley, so we dressed Ariel up in a Halloween theme and set out. We went to Bethel Baptist Church for their "Trunk-or-Treat" event. This is where cars are lined up in a semi-circle, with their trunks open, full of candy. You still have to say the magic words, but you definitely get a bag full of sugar with minimal walking.
Riley as "Dora" and Ariel as "Cute"

Ariel had a great nap today, so going out was so much better. She waved or clapped her hands in thanks whenever candy was placed in her bag. But the highlight of her evening was the helium balloon she got. Despite all the candy, we probably could have got the balloon and gone home. Even though I planned on being in my pj's all day, it was nice to go out for once last Halloween hooray.

loot bag #3

Hope you all had a wonderfully scary/fun/awesome/safe Halloween!