01/24/2012
I recently read of a new program called 'The Uprise Book Project' (http://www.uprisebooks.org/). Basically, the idea is to offer banned and challenged books to underprivileged children. I think this is an incredible idea and I hope it takes off. The reason many school aged children don't like to read is because they are offered literature that is of no interest to them. But when you tell a teenager that the book in his hand has been banned from several school districts for pornographic dialogue or explicit language, their interest is instantly sparked. Considering mainstream after school activities, such as playing violent video games, watching television and movies of similar content, or experimenting with recreational drugs, it would be a blessing for a student to be reading one of several banned books at his/her own will. Kids however prefer getting together to play video games in which they shoot each other (more or less) with fully automatic guns or blow one another's heads off with rocket launchers. Imagine a group of teens sitting around talking about Huck Finn or The Great Gatsby. Admittedly, I am having difficulty seeing such a scenario play out as common place, but one can dream.Nevertheless, I like the idea of promoting reading as a rebellious act and think it can be very effective.
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