Censorship: Whose ‘Standards’ Are They?

Re “Students Fight for ‘Sophie’s Choice,’ ” Dec. 22: Once again, intolerance and narrow-mindedness have forced a spineless school administrator to deprive our children of a rich literary experience--this time in La Mirada High, where “Sophie’s Choice,” a revered American classic, has been banned. Two things struck me in particular: 1) Joseph Feres, the parent who complained to the school, said, “I’m not saying the book should be banned. That’s not what I’m about.” Possibly book burning is. And 2) the principal, Andrew Huynh, removed the book from the library in order to review it.

To me, the fact that someone in charge of our children’s education may not have read “Sophie’s Choice” is the most appalling thing. So the teacher has been censured, the book removed and education as a tool for broadening both experience and the mind has been crushed. And the good people of La Mirada can sleep well.

Tony Stern

Encino

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Huynh removed a classic and respected novel from his school’s shelves because one parent was offended by it. Your article did a balanced job summarizing the views of students, parents, administrators, even the book’s author.

But the real issue was not raised by anyone interviewed: Why did this particular parent’s objections carry such weight? If his dislike of “Sophie’s Choice” dovetailed with school district guidelines on “offensive” material, then taxpayers have a right to know exactly what those guidelines are. There’s plenty of bawdy or explicit language in Shakespeare, Hemingway and Salinger; would those books also be removed from school shelves if a parent demanded it? If not, why not?

I suspect the district is happy to let teachers decide what books are appropriate for students until a parent objects. Then, vague references are made to “standards” so that everyone is “covered.” What a crock, and what cowardly behavior to model to students.

Bonnie Sloane

Los Angeles