Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” won a Pulitzer Prize when it was released in 1960, and it is widely considered to be one of the greatest classics of all-time. However, one Mississippi school district is taking an opposing view. They are pulling the novel from their curriculum because it “makes people uncomfortable.”
The reasoning behind the decision to censor the book is because it contained the “n word.” Because the book was written decades before political correctness was conceived, it will be banned from being taught for 8th grade English Language Arts and replaced with sanitized literature less likely to challenge the sensibilities of the children.
“There were complaints about it. There is some language in the book that makes people uncomfortable, and we can teach the same lesson with other books,” said Kenny Holloway, who serves as vice president of the Biloxi School Board.
“It’s still in our library. But they’re going to use another book in the 8th grade course,” Holloway said.
According to a Sun Herald report, “To Kill A Mockingbird” is listed as the 21st most challenged or banned book over the past decade by the American Library Association. Censorship of controversial books is not new, but it is accelerating due to the push for Orwellian thought control coming from the Left.
The superintendent for the district refused to issue a direct answer regarding the banned book, and would only issue a generic response following the decision.
“There are many resources and materials that are available to teach state academic standards to our students. These resources may change periodically. We always strive to do what is best for our students and staff to continue to perform at the highest level,” Superintendent Arthur McMillan said.
Despite the empty platitudes of the school bureaucrats desperate to safe face, the children will ultimately have to suffer through a substandard education because their supposed educators lacked the courage to stand behind a serious curriculum.
