He thinks rape is "soft pornography."

This is my response to Wesley Croggins -- the one that says that Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is "filthy" and can be considered as "soft pornography."

In the article he wrote, he says, "In high school English classes, children are required to read and view material that should be classified as soft pornography." He says this because of the two rape scenes in the book. Also, he states, "This is unacceptable, considering that most of the school board members and administrators claim to be Christian. How can Christian men and women expose children to such immorality? Parents, it is time you get involved!"

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I'm going to go on ahead and say I am Catholic. I was raised by a Catholic family, and even went to a Catholic school for more than 5 years. If I let my mother, my grandmother, and even my teachers read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, I highly doubt they will say it is immoral. Since when is a book trying to help out others who are in need with some horrible situations, immoral??

To me, the power of the novel by Laurie Halse Anderson is that it is a way to communicate to those who are affected, to those who can relate to the story and the characters. The novel speaks directly to them, letting them know they are not alone, and that they do not have to be afraid to open up. Without a doubt, Speak has touched a lot of lives; teens, parents, educators, and many others -- and taught them that it's okay to be vulnerable, it's okay to seek for help, it's okay to speak up. It gives hope, and it gives strength. That is the point of the novel, at least to me.

My message to Wesley Croggins is this:
You want to ban the book because you think it is inappropriate. And apparently, you see rape as "porn" now. I don't know where you got that, and how you came about to thinking that, but to me, that's just completely absurd. I don't think there are words to describe how unbelievably insensitive and outrageous -- not to mention out of line -- that comment is.
Also, you don't have to like the book. You don't even have to read it or recommend it to anyone else. But for you to judge it with a general and biased point of view, suggest to ban it because you think a certain way, is simply unfair. Besides, who do you think you are to tell others what they should or should not read?
When you wrote that article, were you really thinking? And I mean, really thinking. Did it ever occur to you that maybe rape victims and victims of abuse in general could have been helped by the novel? Did you think of those who are unable to say a word and speak up due to fear of people not believing in them? Did you think of them and how novels like Speak might have helped them get through such a tough time? Obviously not, because what you want is to take away something that might help others who might need them in the future.

I can not force you to think otherwise, but I hope you know many have been offended and hurt with those said comments, and I can only wish that next time, you would at least try to respect the issue, respect the people involved, and keep more of an open mind. At least that.

My message to adults, including parents and educators:
Yes, like the author of the hateful article said, do "get involved!" Read the book. See for yourself.

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