ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : No Bonfire of Books

The Anaheim Union High School District was correct in refusing to ban from its classrooms two novels that some residents found objectionable. The would-be book-banners had every right to register their objections and have them heard, but they certainly cannot impose their preferences on others.

Both books deal with life’s tragedies and involve so-called dysfunctional families. “Ordinary People” centers on a suicidal boy and his relationship with his parents after his older brother drowns. “The Great Santini” portrays a Marine pilot who runs his family like a drill instructor.

District trustees noted that a committee of parents and teachers that reviews books decided that both would remain on the list of optional reading for English classes. “The Great Santini” can be assigned only after parents give permission for their children to read it. One person objecting to “Ordinary People” called it, without evidence, a “springboard to suicide.” A fitting reply came from an English teacher who said he uses it in class precisely because it deals with, and might mitigate, feelings known to some teen-agers.

An objector to “The Great Santini” called the book anti-Catholic. The book does have images offensive to Catholics, but high school students can understand why they are offensive and why their inclusion in a book is not an endorsement by a teacher, school or even the author.

Banning books like these serves no purpose and opens the doors to removal of publications by anyone with a grievance.