A "Lucky" perspective

Controversy over the 2007 Newbery Award winner The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron rages on LM_Net and the blogosphere. As I understand it, the author uses the word scrotum which some librarians found objectionable and then other librarians found finding scrotum objectionable, objectionable. Confused? I will withhold judgement on the book and the use of the word until I've actually read Lucky, but I will say here and now that I like the word scrotum. Somehow it is nearly onomatopoeic.

 My friend Tom Ross, the poet-librarian, puts the issue into very stark perspective. He sent this to our state listserv and has given me permission to reprint it here:

Come on folks... I am not worried about this word. I am worried about my student who  attempted suicide twice. I am worried about my student who is falling through the cracks because everybody wants  to discipline him, but I think he is so  depressed that he will end up like that first student. Everybody is trying to do the right thing, but we are not perfect people. Sometimes we may not  cover every child perfectly and yet our  heart is breaking over each one. I am worried about the gangs x-ing out each other,  I am worried about my principals giving up because they are  being worn down by parents who are demanding perfect people handle their children and there are none to be found.  I'm worried about my Goth student who thinks that nobody cares about him as a human being and I wonder if he is cutting again. I'm worried about the  little girls that come to school with  bruises and bumps and social services is working on the problem... but there are not enough of them to cover  everybody fast  enough... I'm worried  about the teachers that are leaving because they can't handle the disrespect, intensity and pace of their  job...Good people who will be lost  forever to one of the most important task society has given them. I'm worried that society is abandoning  us because they want to pretend the  problem is the language in the book and it's not the kids who are dying. I'm worried about the kids whose  mom has three part time jobs and no  insurance.  I'm worried that if one of my students ends up running away, she may end up a street child who will  be abused by some evil man for something  as fleeting as money. I'm sorry this is  a word that just doesn't worry me. I want my students to live to  the next day... That worries me.
 
Sorry if I have my values misplaced, my heart is breaking for my kids right now - Tom Ross, Plymouth

I am as guilty as the next person about worrying about and arguing over and finding importance in those issues that this time next year won't even be remembered. Thanks, Tom, for grounding all of us who read your message.

Comments

[Catherine]

Profound post! I feel such a kinship with Tom; I am often appalled at the behavior of our adult citizens, and their lack of understanding and empathy for students and educators. I still argue with many parents about whether Harry Potter should be in our libraries, and there are still so many parents who really aren't comfortable with sex education in public schools, even though some of them have sexually active teenagers.

I can relate to all of Tom's worries, and I always bring mine home with me. I just can't leave them behind. I have been working as a teacher and administrator for almost twenty years. I can't leave my students because I think they need me: pretty hedonistic!

Catherine

[Nancy]

Reading this post reminds me of something I think of often. Do you remember the old vaudeville routine--it went something like this--Guy 1 sees Guy 2 looking around under a lamp post. Guy 1 says "What are you looking for?" Guy 2 says "My wallet." Guy 1 says "Where'd you lose it?" and Guy 2 says "I lost it down the block but the light is much better here."

Some times people focus in on some little thing because it is much easier to cope with than focusing in on the real issues, which may be too hard to cope with. Is that the scrotum theory? Yes, 50% of the students in my school can't read on grade level--but that's too hard to deal with-- I'll focus in on one word in one book. Did I make myself at all clear? I'm not a good writer, as a matter of fact I hate to write--but I like the idea of being able to write down my thoughts. Thanks for giving me space.

-an almost retires teacher-

[ElenaW]

I think the whole thing was planned to sell booksBuild excitement and anticipation and to win awards.I expect to have some very interesting discussions with children when my copies arrive.