Antioch High book sexual exploitation

I totally disagree and am very disappointed with Daily Herald's "Sensible Solution" editorial [6-25-09] on the Antioch High School book controversy. It sounded like something out of the radical ACLU manifesto on free speech and book banning.

So you think 14-year-old boys would read more "literature" if books contained an abundance of four-letter words, explicit passages about masturbation and sexual experiences, racial slurs, and a description of an adolescent's baser impulses? To my knowledge, the Illinois Harmful Materials to Minors Law is still viable and enforceable. "Material" includes books - even the ones winning questionable "National Book" awards. If we didn't suffer under a corrupted court and judicial system in Illinois, enforcement of this law would certainly be made toward any school system that uses "teacher-approved literature" to sexually exploit children under 18 years old.

Laurie Higgins, director of the Illinois Family Institute's Division of School Advocacy, comments on their Web site that the decision at Antioch High is "... yet another loss for wisdom, discernment, good taste and morality." "... Not selecting a book to include in a school curriculum is not equivalent to book banning." "Alexie's book contains language and ideas to which no educator should intentionally expose students." To prove the point, Higgins suggests that students and teachers start using obscenity and sexual vulgarity openly in schools, if books like "Part-time Indian" reflect the reality and ideologies of our times.

What you are condoning as the editors of the Daily Herald is the sexual exploitation of children, as described in existing laws. I would guess that none of you have actually read the book but use the old "book banning" canard as a basis for your argument. Not very wise.

Arlene Sawicki

South Barrington