Censorious Apes!

[elfs]

I also had a terrible desire to kiss Jacqui and that I did. I go into ecstasies every time I see the naked figure of a woman, such as Venus in the Springer History of Art, for example. It strikes me sometimes as so wonderful and exquisite that I have difficulty not letting the tears roll down my cheeks. If only I had a girl friend!

This passage, written by a young girl, has now gotten the book in which it appears, a book read by millions of middle schoolers worldwide, banned from at least one school district.

To be fair, the version of the book in which it appears is an updated version, not so expurgated as the one you probably read in your childhood.

School system in Va. won't teach version of The Diary of Anne Frank.

Comments

[fayanora.livejournal.com]

Anne Frank, a lesbian? Nifty! I may have to read that.

I hope no one publishes my diary after I die. *Shudders*

[kengr]

As opposed to the stories you've actually posted?

[fayanora.livejournal.com]

LOL! :-)

[dv-girl.livejournal.com]

Nah. Before our right wing got all bent out of shape, it was considered the norm for women to express their emotions by hugging and kissing one another. Male culture was a little softer in that regard as well. All the 'real men' of WWI were allowed to show emotion and hug one another and cry now and then. Our society has just become that emotionally unhealthy. :/

[gromm.livejournal.com]

So what else is new? They banned Anne Frank in various places because it makes passing reference to masturbation. At least 20 years ago.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_candide_/]

Well, I seem to recall reading that she also had a crush or two on some boy or other. So, I'd say that she could've been Bi.

But it's not like that matters. It could very well be a linguistic & cultural mistranslation. We Americans have a nasty tendency to think that every other human being on the planet is Just Like Us. I'm constantly surprised and refreshingly relieved to learn that there are many other human ways thinking out there.

[(Anonymous)]

Very true, it could be read (even in the translated version) to some extent as being admiration for the female form.

[amythis.livejournal.com]

I remember in my Advanced English class about 25 years ago, there were some passages that made one of the six boys in the class uncomfortable because they made Anne sound bi-curious. All the girls and the other boys were fine about it, and of course it made Anne that much cooler in my eyes.

[dv-girl.livejournal.com]

I wonder if they even understand the sad sad irony of this kind of ban?

[mikstera.livejournal.com]

No... the shame of it is, they don't get it at all.

Sometimes, I weep for my species.