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AALBC.com's Thumper's Corner Discussion Board » Thumper's Corner - Archive 2008 » Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man--Too Much Cussin'? « Previous Next »

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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 7283
Registered: 03-2004

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Posted on Monday, August 11, 2008 - 10:05 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Doing my bit to promote Black Lit I saw a librarian (male/black) with a copy of Invisible Man.

"That's a great book," I said.

"I got it for my son but it's too much cussin' so I'm turning it back."

Too much cussin.

A masterpiece of the canon rejected by a parent because it has cusswords--probably less than any rap album you can play or any PG 13 movie or an episode of South Park.

Is there any hope for the cullud peoples?
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Ferociouskitty
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Post Number: 401
Registered: 02-2008

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Posted on Monday, August 11, 2008 - 11:11 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I knew a black parent here in the 'Burgh who objected to August Wilson's plays being taught at his children's high school because the black characters didn't use "proper English", and therefore, according to his logic, blacks were being portrayed in a negative light.

Sigh.
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Nom_de_plume
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Post Number: 115
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Posted on Monday, August 11, 2008 - 11:42 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

What a bunch of douchenuggets. You're right, and that boy probably cuss like a muhfuckin sailor when his pops ain't around! LOL

I can only hope that many of the kids will eventually thirst and seek for themselves.
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Thumper
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Posted on Monday, August 11, 2008 - 11:59 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Hello,

See, this is a case of a LITTLE education being a bad thing! I wonder, did the father actually READ the book or did he just scan it for words. I'm thinking that if he was there picking out his son's reading material, how old is the son? Maybe the son is too young for Invisible Man?
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Cynique
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Username: Cynique

Post Number: 12703
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Posted on Monday, August 11, 2008 - 01:57 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Do these same gripes apply to black parents who object to grade schoolers having to read Tom Sawyer because in this book, reference is made to N i g g e r Jim?
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Emanuel
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Username: Emanuel

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Posted on Monday, August 11, 2008 - 02:39 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Well, Invisible Man does have some mature themes and language. It all depends on the age of the child. I think it's good parenting if the father didn't want to expose his child to bad language. Sure he might hear it on the streets, on TV, or on the radio but it doesn't mean the parent has to approve of it.

I have a 12-year-old who probably isn''t ready for Invisible Man as well.

Are you a parent Chris?
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Chrishayden
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Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 7287
Registered: 03-2004

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Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - 11:23 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I have a 12-year-old who probably isn''t ready for Invisible Man as well

(One of those, eh?)
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904diva
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Username: 904diva

Post Number: 33
Registered: 06-2008

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Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - 04:54 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I agree with you Emanuel. Let them stay young while they're young. I also didn't allow "cursing" rap or parental video games either. Now did he hear it or play the games elsewhere, maybe, but the point is how a child is raised... teaches respect. Now I'm not putting the book in the category as rap music or video games, I'm just saying we have to parent, not be our children's friends... they have enough of those and only 2 parents.
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Chrishayden
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Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 7299
Registered: 03-2004

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Posted on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 10:41 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

The point is that Negroes think it is 1890--

Did you excise the Song of Solomon from your Bible, too because it is so racy?

White folks, I apologize.

I been saying it is your fault, when, all along, the Negroes ain't been ready.
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Emanuel
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Username: Emanuel

Post Number: 636
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Posted on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 02:56 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

You're making this a racial issue when it's really a PARENTING issue. "Invisible Man" is not the bible, it's a work of fiction. White parents shield their children from materials considered inappropiate as well. If parents want to shield their children from books, movies, and music they feel are inappropriate for their own children I say let them parent their own children. On the other end of the spectrum, we have parents who don't really care what their children do and they end up on welfare, on drugs, or in jail.

So which do you prefer? Parents who parent or parents who let their children do their own thing.

BTW Chris, you never answered the question about how old the child was or if you're a parent yourself. Both answers matter in regards to this discussion.

I know my child, and at 12 he would not be interested in "Invisible Man" (which by the way is my favorite book). His interest lies in what's more appropriate and fun for his age group. Ain't nothin' wrong with that. My wife (who is a former school psychologist) and I know best not to rush him into growing up too fast.

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