14 Comments
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Rogerio Cazelato's avatar

YES! “Because bookbanners are invariably idiots, they don’t know how the world works— but writers and English teachers do.”

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Michelle Lindblom's avatar

All of literature gives us a window into the real world. I am feeling this pain and it makes me nauseous. Thank you for eloquent response to what is happening. M

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Ingrid Kincaid's avatar

I grew up with this expression. My mother said it often: SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN DENMARK.

A line spoken by Marcellus in William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act I, scene iv.

It never really made much sense when I was a kid.

I'm in my 70s now and can really get it.

Something is really rotten in this country, not just in one state.

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Diana M. Wilson's avatar

Extraordinary. Thank you for sharing.

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Sílvia's avatar

I cannot comprehend how books are still being banned in the US. Those same books are being read freely by students in schools all over the world. I studied English and American literature in college and there weren't any restrictions on what teachers could teach.

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Lola James's avatar

I live outside of the US and I really can't understand how this is being allowed to happen, I'm so sorry it is. This is a really fantastic letter, thank you for sharing ❤️

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Ingrid Kincaid's avatar

Thank you.

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Sloan Bashinsky's avatar

Fuck all, Pat. Kapow!!!

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Lorenzo Orzari's avatar

Anyone nails a book shut just crucified it. Now, I want to read it, read what I may never have known.

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Paula Lucas's avatar

This is happening everywhere, not just backward W.Va. I think YOU have this reversed, Mr. Conroy. I teach in liberal, educated New Jersey and am shocked by the prejudiced and biased words expressed by our students that reflect their parents bigotry. The word was spread elsewhere and is finally coming to W.Va. where people do have an outspoken and rebellious spirit. We do not like suppression and we fight it. Our state motto is “Montani sempre liberi”. Thank you for helping our cause, and thank this young lady for speaking out. Miss Hatfield is a true West Virginian.

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Marc Brimble's avatar

I quit school at 15 due to lack of inspiration, delusionment, but I'll remember fondly my two English teachers. The only ones ignited the spark of my imagination

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KW NORTON's avatar

Living in “the bright fires of our imaginations” is a fundamental human right. Time to go full tilt boogie on this unalienable right.

https://open.substack.com/pub/kwnorton/p/the-fourth-industrial-revolution?r=boqs0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

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Agnes Christie's avatar

Fabulous Pat Conroy! Off I go to donate books in five County libraries and schools in Montana.

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Ruth Villiger-Wilson's avatar

Ah YES!!!

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