Making memories one day at a time.......and then I write about it.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Hungry for People to Open Their Eyes and Say Something!

I am writing this blog post as a concerned parent.  A parent that wishes society would open their eyes to what is going on around them and say something!  Be a voice!

It started a few months ago when Mr. C came home from school upset.  His English teacher was having the students study a book for an entire semester.  They were given a packet of papers to go along with their study of the book.  The book is, "Hunger Games".

I realize that the, "Hunger Games" has been quite popular as was/is the, "Twilight" series and so therefore this post won't be a popular post.  I don't care.  Sometimes being popular isn't the cool thing to be.

All I have heard is how wonderful the, "Hunger Games" is.  It's a series that no one can put down.  I was ready to start reading it when one voice, my sisters, told me not to.  She told me what it was about and I was shocked that our society is so numb, we think teens killing teens in a gladiator style is fun and entertaining.

I called the school and talked to Mr. C's English teacher who was very good to work with us.  Mr. C would go to the library for the semester and do a study on a book of his choosing.  Our dear friend, Kristen Randle would mentor him and after the semester, have Mr. C write a paper that she would grade and that grade would be submitted.

All went to plan and I thought this would be the end of it.  Yesterday was parent teachers conferences.  As I was walking down the hallways of the high school, I noticed several tv's up on the walls in the main hallway.  What I saw being advertised on the tv's had me furious!  The trailer for the movie, "Hunger Games".

Explain to me, why a high school, would have a movie being advertised that promoted teen violence?  An institution that is supposedly teaching our kids NOT to be violent?

Why in the world are there tv's in the hallways of the schools advertising ANYTHING??

My blood is boiling over this one.  I wondered why no other parents came forward about our youth being made to study, "The Hunger Games" in class......... now I'm wondering why parents aren't coming forward about what is being advertised in the hallways of the schools!  I hope they are.........

I am going to assume that it is because they don't know.  I am going to assume that if they knew, they'd be as boiling mad as me and say something!  I'm one voice.  I'm hoping that more voices will join mine and say something.

Am I over reacting?  Should I be concerned?  I'll answer this one.  I'm concerned about those who think I'm over reacting and aren't concerned.  I'm concerned about parents who don't think this is a big deal..... who are also caught up in these types of books.  I'm concerned with an institution where my kids spend 90 % of their time in a day that isn't concerned.........  that is more concerned about money in the advertising they are getting than in what is being advertised and promoted to our kids.

Are you concerned?

34 comments:

  1. I'm with you, sister! I'm so very tired of all of this media being shoved at us every day. With all the fabulous literature, poetry and other forms of media that are available to us, it always amazes me what we choose to show and what we choose to watch.

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    1. That is what I don't get! There is so much amazing literature out there! Life is too short to waste it on sewage.

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  2. Well, this comment will probably not be popular. But I read the Hunger Games series and I didn't see it as a 'fun and entertaining book about teens killing teens gladiator style'. I don't think it promoted teen violence. The main character opposes the Hunger Games and volunteers to participate out of love for her sister, to protect her from having to participate. I saw it as more of a book about good conquering evil, as the main characters are fighting to stop the games from happening in the future.

    As for advertisements in the halls of the school, I'm not cool with that. Is this at the same high school that my kids go to?

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    1. Yes Gerb. Provo High.

      I didn't read the books. I asked my older boys if they'd read them and Mr. T said that he'd read the first and stopped reading because they disturbed him. I figure if they disturbed my teenage son who is a typical 'boy' then that was enough for me.

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  3. I am stuck in the middle on this one, I think. I am in FULL support of parents having input into what their children are required to read in school. There are many great books out there which shouldn't be read as part of a school curriculum, or that are inappropriate for the age of the students. I, for one, think Romeo & Juliet is inappropriate for 9th graders, although that's when everyone seems to read it. I personally think The Hunger Games is a great book--it absolutely does NOT *glorify* teenage gladiators (in my opinion). The books are about those struggling to retain their humanity in the face of a corrupt government and society. BUT there are many disturbing scenes and images that make it inappropriate for a LOT of teenagers. I let my daughter read it, but we discussed it at home. She was/is mature enough to understand the themes--lots of kids are not. So...what I'm saying is GOOD FOR YOU for being an advocate for your children. Never stop. And for the record...I HATE advertising in the schools. All of it!

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    1. Whoa! Where did my reply go to your comment? Hmmmm.

      Literature is a hard one because how someone visualizes something and reacts..... another person can have a completely different experience! It's not like you can put a rating on what a book is going to do with your imagination and feelings if that makes sense.

      I just saw how the Jordan school district is allowing advertising on their school buses now. Really?? Irritates me.

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  4. I can't say anything about the books, having not read them, but I CAN say something about TVs of any kind hanging in the hallways of a school. It drives me absolutely nuts that several of our favorite restaurants and burger places have hung TVs, so that you can't just eat in peace, that dear isolation from the world that is part of what I pay for when I go out to eat. Instead, we've got these images - included adverts - dancing in the corners of our eyes all the time, a little bit of visual chaos instead of that breath-releasing peace it used to be. Are these closed circuit TVs? And really, there was enough going on in the halls of my schools - both when I was a student and a teacher - without needing some outside stimuli competing with the noise and craziness. If these are closed circuits and the kids are producing their own content, I could see it. Otherwise, HELLO - I can't even afford to replace our own TV because our property taxes are so high - and this is what the schools are spending MY MONEY on? I gotta find out about this.

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    1. I understand a sports grill. Go ahead and have TV and show games..... you know that will be going on if you frequent that place. They are popping up all over the place as you say though aren't they?

      I don't mind the TV's in the school if as you say, they are closed circuit and showing schedules, announcements, things going on in the classrooms, etc. But to advertise! I don't think so!!!

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  5. It's scary out there! Sometimes it feels like we need to burn all of the spinning wheels (Sleeping Beauty's parents choice) but that didn't turn out so well for poor Sleeping Beauty, she had to leave seclusion sometime. I think we should teach our children what they are, why touching them would be a bad idea, how to avoid them and what to do if they do touch it.

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    1. That is my first instinct. To grab my children, run to the mountains, and keep them protected. That doesn't help them though and so yes, we be there for them. We teach them and guide them and help them if as you say, they touch the spindle.

      But! Having a TV in a school advertising (I don't care what it is!) is wrong!

      My son came to me because he was uncomfortable. His teacher was wonderful in working with us and not forcing my son to be in a situation that he didn't want to be in.

      I've taught my kids that they don't have to lay down in the gutter to appreciate the sidewalk. A saying my very wise brother in law taught his kids and I stand by it.

      The Native's are taught standards and principles and are taught to live by them. They are not perfect by any means but in today's society, may I just say again, we could use more of those who prefer to appreciate the sidewalk by staying on the sidewalk and not feeling they have to lay down in the gutter to experience how wonderful the sidewalk is.........

      Again, the point is more on having TV's in the school advertising anything. I personally, feel it is wrong.

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    2. I agree 100 percent! The problem is, it's not either the sidewalk or the gutter. Because we live in mortality right now, we live in the gutter, the sidewalk is home/family/the gospel. I'm just trying to teach my kids,why would you want to live in the gutter, if you could live on the sidewalk, here's how you do it. I've only read your blog a few times, I think you must be friends with my sister-in-law. You seem like a great person and a great mom, who is doing everything she can for her family. We are all trying to keep our head above water in this sea of filth. I've had my fair share of pushing the world back, but something in how desperate you were sounding made me comment. I hope you aren't thinking I'm disagreeing with you, I'm not. I've been there, and this is how I've found peace.

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    3. :) Not at all! I get the impression you've been agreeing with me all along. I am curious now. Which sister in law?? :) Reveal yourself. :D We'll be nice. We're all friends here. We may have differences of opinions but it's all good. That is what makes this world such a beautiful interesting place.

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    4. Sorry about the anonymous. I never comment on peoples blogs that I don't know personally. My SIL is Margaret Anderson, my name is Heather.

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    5. :D I'm so glad you DID comment!! Nice to meet you Heather. Yes! I do know Margaret. Margaret lives down the street from me. I love Margaret!! I don't know anyone who could NOT love Margaret.

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    6. You won't get a disagreement from me, I love her too!

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  6. Too many parents long ago abdicated their responsibility for training up their children in the ways that they should go. I often wondered why it was my job to teach Character Education and Aids awareness and smoking and drug awareness....seems to me that these things should be taught at home. TVs advertising anything are not good...and a very slimy way to make money.
    There are so many things....
    I read the Hunger Games and loved them. They are stories of love and courage in the face of horrible evil....there is nothing glorious about the games...they are horrible, but the main characters act always out of love and the need to do what is right for the good of others.
    I'm very proud of you for standing up and for your son's teacher being willing to be flexible and your son for not having to follow blindly somewhere that makes him uncomfortable....Love and courage in action again!

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    1. Oh man, I know! Don't get me started on how the schools are supposedly supposed to raise our kids now starting with feeding them breakfast and then all of the after school programs! I could talk a blue streak about that!

      I was so grateful that Mr. C's teacher was willing to work with us. I can remember having to read, "Lord of the Flies" and HATING IT! I wanted out of several books I had to read in high school and wasn't allowed. Thank goodness for teachers who are open to students doing something different if they aren't comfortable.

      I did have one teacher that showed, "Night of the Dead" or something like that in English class. Scared the dickens out of me. The next day we were supposed to watch the second part. I'd spent the first half with my head down on my desk and didn't want to spend the next day doing the same. I told my teacher that I was scared and he let me sit in the library. I was grateful. I got teased by the other kids but I didn't care that time. I wasn't about to watch that thing!

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  7. J#2 read the series and liked them. J#3 read the first book, I don't know about the rest. I read the first book and only made it half way through. I may go back and read it again some day, we'll see.
    mc

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    1. You'll have to let me know what you think if you do.......

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  8. I read the first book and decided I didn't want to read the others because I thought they were disturbing. I have been surprised at how many women I know who have loved them. Did we read the same book?

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    1. I've wondered that same thing Margaret about other books I've started to read and then have put down........

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  9. I completely, COMPLETELY agree with you, Rachel. There are so many battles and not enough warriors when it comes to protecting children - not just the ones we birth, but ALL children. I'm grateful for every parent who will stand up for kids! Your solution with Mr. C was brilliant.

    Here's a side note which I hope doesn't detract from your poignant message. In a way, it goes along with it. I used to run those after-school programs in Westridge and Grandview Elementary Schools in a private-public partnership which continued for several years. I probably have a different perspective on the subject. Here are some interesting stats about Utah moms: http://jobs.utah.gov/wi/pubs/womencareers/factsheet.html Young children without a parent at home (like mine!) are known targets for abuse from older children. I ran those programs to keep kids safe. Most of "my" children were between the ages of 5 - 8. PRetty much all of them were at-risk and none of them had a parent at home.

    Would the parents have been at home if they didn't have an afterschool program? No. Most of them were sole providers. So, I opt for protecting the kids. I'd love to have a rowdy discussion about this topic. I used to share your ideas on the topic, but my circumstances spun me into a 180* change of perspective.

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    1. Oooo! Good point Ginger! I can see it from your side. What frustrates me though are the ones who because it is there......... use it who don't need to. The parents who want the schools and after school programs to raise their kids for them. That's when I get rasty. If I were in your situation, I would be ever so grateful for a program like yours for my children. You did such a great service for so many years for so many children! So yeah. I agree with you for those that 'need' it. But there are so many who don't............ it's the easy way out.

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  10. When people kept saying the Hunger Games was "so good and so disturbing" I decided I had better things to do with my time. I remember how disturbed my oldest was when he had to read Anne Frank in middle school. It was her attention to her sexuality that made him uncomfortable. Maybe the content of that story would be good for an 8th grade girl, but not so good for an 8th grade boy. Literature is a tricky thing. It is good to be pushed outside your comfort zone a bit. Being made aware of issues that exist outside our own paradigms is good for us. But everyone should have the right to tap out when the boundary has been pushed too far. Who is C's teacher? The best book any of my kids read in school was The Education of Little Tree. I wish that had been on all my kids reading lists. Hunger Games ads on the high school TVs makes me wonder if there is school-wide participation in reading the book.

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    1. Yes!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE, "The Education of Little Tree". I've had several of The Native's read it as they've gotten older. That book I wouldn't mind the schools having the students read. I agree with you about, "The Diary of Anne Frank". For a boy that would be uncomfortable. I like your analogy for tapping out when it is too much.

      Mr. C's teacher is Mr. Smith.

      The principal wrote me back yesterday and said he was not aware that Hunger Games was on the tv's nor was he aware that there were any advertisements as the tv's are supposed to be used for school announcements. According to several youth I've talked to, they have all told me the tv's are used for advertisements. Car sales, McDonald's, Dip n' Dots, etc. I'm not sure how I feel about a principal who says he isn't aware of all of this advertising on tv's in the very halls he walks everyday and a school he is over seeing.....

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    2. And it's not a recent thing....... it's been going on all year long.

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    3. Did you mention to the principal that you saw the commercials for the movie YOURSELF when you were at the school? I meant to ask my kids about this but forgot. I'm going to poll them this afternoon. And when you say Mr. Smith, do you mean Todd R. Smith or is there another one at the school?

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    4. Yes, I told the principal I had been there on Wed. for parent teachers conf.'s and that is when I saw it. I forwarded you the email I sent to him. Did you get it?

      No, Aaron Smith

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  11. I enjoyed the books (like Gerb and Donna) but a friend of mine hardly got through the 1st one and needed a blessing because it disturbed her so much. It's not for everyone. I have a 14 year old and don't think I would want her to read it - not yet anyway. I remember having to read 1984 (in Gr. 12) and then watching the movie and being furious that I was subjected to that crap. I didn't even finish reading it. It's nice to have teachers who cooperate and let you have options and not try to cram something down your throat. I am glad you did something about it.

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    1. I can't tell you how grateful I was that this teacher worked with us. And for an entire semester!!

      I know that I have a VERY vivid imagination so I know my tolerance for some things is very low. I just can't handle it. Especially when it involves abuse, hurting others, etc.

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  12. As I was reading this, I thought 'hmmm...reminds me of 'Lord of the Flies'. I enjoyed The Hunger Games because of the 'overcoming the corrupt government' aspect of the books, but because of the violence, I can't recommend them to anyone & don't want to see the movies (I was talking to someone, wondering how much they were going to show, or if they were going to show just right before & cut to another scene). I have liked lots of the 'overcoming the corrupt government' from 'The Giver' to 'Fahrenheit 451', and several others that I can't remember the name. Most of them have sexual parts that made me uncomfortable as a teenage. So it may not surprise you that my one of my favorite books of all time is 'The Alliance' by Gerald Lund. Nothing bad in there & follows similar themes!

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    1. I love, "The Alliance"! :D I read it as a teenager and loved it. Still own it. :) Hated and still hate, "Lord of the Flies"....... shudder.

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  13. a little late here - but i did want to put in my 2 cents.

    i read the hunger games. mostly. half way through the last book i closed it and was done. i finally chose the Spirit over the Story. i have eliminated a few major things that way in the last year. first - the books. (remember Glass Castle?! - oh i am so sorry....) then the music. and then movies.

    our Bishop said this - we teach our children to STAY OUT of the filthy river that runs RIGHT NEXT TO the straight and narrow path. and then we wade around in it at night after they go to bed every time we watch a movie that isn't "appropriate for young children". we take a swim every time we read a book we wouldn't want them to read "until they are older".

    i am NOT doing that anymore. i will read what they can read. watch what they can watch. and listen to what they can listen to. and the Spirit is more abundant.

    now - the schools? oh. that is a problem. and i am guilty. i have not made a stink about it. because i don't want people to think i stink. and i am afraid that the teachers will be hard on my children and that i will look like a weirdo.

    Rach - i am done with that. i will stand up and OPEN MY MOUTH.

    dear ms. so and so,
    the naked pictures at the top of my child's assignments must go.
    the naked pictures of holocaust victims are offensive.
    and no - my child will not be reading the hunger games.
    sincerely,
    one more voice

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    1. :) I love your voice!! I came to that same thought process/conclusion a few years ago. If it isn't something the kids should be watching/reading/listening to/etc. then I shouldn't either......

      We've been taught to become as little children. I think this is one of those interpretations to that scripture.

      My voice is made stronger because you joined yours with mine. Thanks Misty!!! I love you!!

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