Court Hearing on 'Vamos a Cuba' Children's Book

Miami-Dade School Board wants book banned

ACLU claims banning the book is unconstitutional

Judge not expected to make decision until next week

 

Evan Bacon

Reporting

 

(CBS4/MIAMI HERALD) MIAMI No decision was made Friday following a court hearing on an effort by the Miami-Dade County school board to ban a controversial book on Cuba from school libraries.

 

U.S. District Court Judge Alan S. Gold heard both sides of the debate over the children's book ?Vamos a Cuba? (?A Visit to Cuba?) but he is not expected to rule until next week on whether it should stay on library shelves in 33 elementary and middle schools.

 

Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union and the Miami-Dade School Board presented evidence Friday morning at the U.S. District Court in Miami.

 

Last month, the school board voted to remove the book from its elementary schools after a parent of a Marjory Stoneman Douglas Elementary School student complained that the books depiction of life in the communist nation was misleading and offensive. The board then expanded the order to all 24 books in the series on children living around the globe.

 

The ACLU has asked the court to declare the boards banning of the book unconstitutional, arguing the decision violated students? constitutional right to free press.

 

"Vamos a Cuba," by Alta Schreier, targets students ages 4 to 8 and contains images of smiling children wearing uniforms of Cuba's communist youth group and celebrating the revolution.

 

Judith Krug, head of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, said overtly political complaints against books are rare. These days, the books most frequently requested for removal tend to deal with sexuality, profanity, gay issues and witchcraft.

 

The 10 most challenged books in 2005 included: "Forever" by Judy Blume; "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger and the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey. J.K. Rowling, Poet Laureate Maya Angelou and Mark Twain have also made the list in recent years.

 

"The typical censorship issues aren't the typical censorship issues in Miami-Dade County," agreed ACLU of Florida director Howard Simon.

 

But Simon said the battle over whether to keep the books on the shelves is part of a larger fight over free access to materials in schools and freedom of speech. "Sadly, the battle to rid Cuba of its dictatorship and bring some semblance of democracy to the country has too frequently become a war on the First Amendment in Miami-Dade," he said.

 

Other leaders in Miami's Cuban community hesitated to get involved, but in recent weeks some have reluctantly taken a stand. Alfredo Mesa, executive director of the Cuban American National Foundation, said book banning is wrong. "This is a difficult issue. But at the end of the day, this is America," he said. "We respect freedom of speech and everyone's right to exercise it freely. This is what we want for Cuba in the future."

 

 

I personally believe that the banning of this book is a clear violation of our constitution's First Amendment.

 

It's just wrong.

 

Discuss.

I agree.

 

No books should be banned in this country. Censorship is teh gay.

Not putting certain books in a children's library isn't censorship.

 

I know nothing of these books so I can't say whether it is appropriate or not but I'm certain that most anyone would be offended if Admin Flynt's autobiography was available in a K-5 library.

I agree that it shouldn't be banned. It's America.

 

Even some Cuban exiles don't think the book should be banned.

Not putting certain books in a children's library isn't censorship.

 

I know nothing of these books so I can't say whether it is appropriate or not but I'm certain that most anyone would be offended if Admin Flynt's autobiography was available in a K-5 library.

 

 

 

The book is about the living conditions in Cuba. To some Cubans, this book glorifies Cuba. They want it banned. I wonder what book they want to replace it with?

 

It's censorship- straight up.

Books that are offensive (porn,foul language, etc.) are usually banned from schools is that unconstitutional? I'm not saying that this book is offensive...all I am trying to say is that there are books that are banned from schools quite often by the school board and if thats their decision ..accept it. I defenitely would not want my childrens schools policy or conduct being dictated by the ACLU or other special interests group that have their own agenda.

Books that are offensive (porn,foul language, etc.) are usually banned from schools is that unconstitutional? I'm not saying that this book is offensive...all I am trying to say is that there are books that are banned from schools quite often by the school board and if thats their decision ..accept it. I defenitely would not want my childrens schools policy or conduct being dictated by the ACLU or other special interests group that have their own agenda.

 

 

 

Porn and inappropriate language are other issues. You're talking apples and oranges. The controversy over this book is it portrays Cuba as a nice place to live. The "Cuba si! Castro- NO!" faction says that portrayal is skewed and Cuba is a dismal place for everyone to be in.

 

Who is doing the skewing here?

 

That's like saying that Germany wasn't a nice place to live during the Holocaust. Sure it was- if you weren't Jewish. And Cubans are being driven to the gas chambers like the Jews were.

 

I have heard about 2 parents from different schools that are stirring up this entire bruhaha. Where are the thousands of others who want it banned as well.

 

Should I go before the school board to say I want books about South Beach banned because they glorify the rich and famous lifestyle?

Not putting certain books in a children's library isn't censorship.

 

I know nothing of these books so I can't say whether it is appropriate or not but I'm certain that most anyone would be offended if Admin Flynt's autobiography was available in a K-5 library.

 

 

 

The book is about the living conditions in Cuba. To some Cubans, this book glorifies Cuba. They want it banned. I wonder what book they want to replace it with?

 

It's censorship- straight up.I guess we should stock the library with smut mags and tantric sex guides. Wouldn't want to be censoring the children anymore then we have.

Not putting certain books in a children's library isn't censorship.

 

I know nothing of these books so I can't say whether it is appropriate or not but I'm certain that most anyone would be offended if Admin Flynt's autobiography was available in a K-5 library.

 

 

 

The book is about the living conditions in Cuba. To some Cubans, this book glorifies Cuba. They want it banned. I wonder what book they want to replace it with?

 

It's censorship- straight up.I guess we should stock the library with smut mags and tantric sex guides. Wouldn't want to be censoring the children anymore then we have.

Well, it would certainly increase library attendance... :lol

Books that are offensive (porn,foul language, etc.) are usually banned from schools is that unconstitutional? I'm not saying that this book is offensive...all I am trying to say is that there are books that are banned from schools quite often by the school board and if thats their decision ..accept it. I defenitely would not want my childrens schools policy or conduct being dictated by the ACLU or other special interests group that have their own agenda.

No one's saying porn should be readily available at a school library. But to want books like Catcher in the Rye taken off the shelves.....some people just have nothing better to do.

 

Besides, by censoring (or 'removing it') from a school library you're just drawing attention to it anyways, enhancing the book's image amongst the people that are not allowed to read it. You will get less people reading Vamos a Cuba in the school library if it's allowed than if it's openly censored.

I wonder what the reaction would be if this was a book that potrayed Nazi Germany in a positive light.

I'm sure for those who agreed with the Nazi regime, life was wonderful in Nazi Germany. And lots of people chose to stay in Germany.

 

Do I agree with Communism? No. But I think it's their right to protray a book however they feel like it. We portray Castro as some evil demon akin to the Devil. So- aren't we as prejudiced as the other side?

 

Just because we live in a democratic society doesn't make it the right one. It's the right one for me, and obviously for you but if I chose to live in a Communist country, it would be just that- my choice.

 

Castro let out the floodgates during the Mariel boatlifts. Whoever wanted to get out did. And those who could get out before did so on airplanes.

If you are going to believe in freedom of speach you need to stand up and listen to someone screaming out what you hate most and allow them to.

 

But to each their own. The main principles of this country allow freedom of speach and freedom of the press. Just because you dont like what is said doesnt mean it shouldnt be allowed.

 

This isdifferent then porn, you might find it offensive but it isnt a violation of the laws.

Not like this is a textbook either....

Yenta....I was making a comparison. Is it unconstitutional when a school board decides not to accept a book in its curriculum? Any book? That is the point I was getting at. There are many books out their that the school board has not allowed into its curriculum however you do not hear it in the news. Once again I didn't say this book was offensive please read and do not judge me or say who is skewing this. Yeah it may be two parents turining this up but also lets look at the other side of this argument...who else is being a media whore? The ACLU and they are sure getting great attention in all of this.

Here is the text of "Vamos a Cuba".

 

I don't see any "glorification" of Cuba, and no "political insinuations" either.

 

This book is harmless.

Thanks for the link, I see no problem with that.

 

I don't understand how some of you think it would be appropriate in a K-5 school to have a book that glorified or showed what the Nazi's did in the Holocaust as positive. Should that book be burned or censored? No, but in a child's setting it isn't appropriate.

Here is the text of "Vamos a Cuba".

 

I don't see any "glorification" of Cuba, and no "political insinuations" either.

 

This book is harmless.

 

 

wouldn't be shocked if some of the backers of this hadn't read it either,

Last month, the school board voted to remove the book from its elementary schools after a parent of a Marjory Stoneman Douglas Elementary School student complained that the books depiction of life in the communist nation was misleading and offensive. The board then expanded the order to all 24 books in the series on children living around the globe.

 

Are. You. f***ing. Kidding. Me?

 

Yeah, let's show how the great freedom democracy brings to America by wholesale censorship! The Cuban dude at the end at least made sense and wasn't doing the typical nonsense which is always refreshing.

 

Anyway, let the kids read the book, let them learn about kids around the world. I don't see how educating kids and giving them a taste of cultures around the world, regardless of their palatability to the American sociopolitical norms.

Here is the text of "Vamos a Cuba".

 

I don't see any "glorification" of Cuba, and no "political insinuations" either.

 

This book is harmless.

Yup, though whether or not it glorifies anything shouldn't be the issue.

 

Thanks for the link, I see no problem with that.

 

I don't understand how some of you think it would be appropriate in a K-5 school to have a book that glorified or showed what the Nazi's did in the Holocaust as positive. Should that book be burned or censored? No, but in a child's setting it isn't appropriate.

Honestly it'd depend on the book. Everything should have a blanket permitance (except pornography or other issues of sexual explicitness) for children. From there you can take books on a case by case basis and decide it is bad enough to warrant being pulled. Shouldn't be the other way around.

It's a pretty misleading and simplistic look at Cuba, though I don't support its pulling, I'd rather add a book that gives a more in-depth look at Cuba.

 

It's sort of akin to describing Iraq as a "A country with major settlements along the the two major rivers, the Tigris and the Euprates. People there speak Arabic while some speak Kurdish, they enjoy kebobs, a combination of meat and vegetables roasted on a skewer. Children there enjoy sweets just like you do, there is a type of cookie made from chickpeas...". All the while totally ignoring the American occupation, the sectarian violence, and rule under Saddam.

Dude.....these aren't going to be high school kids reading this. It's elementary school kids reading a picture book.

I personally believe that the banning of this book is a clear violation of our constitution's First Amendment.

 

It's just wrong.

 

Discuss.[/color]

 

 

It is not a ban. A ban would be: "You cannot bring that book to school."

Choosing not to include a book in a childrens' library is discretion.

 

What if the book showed jews smiling in Nazi camps? How about little Afghani kids smiling as they picked up Taliban boobytraps and (previously) unexploded Soviet ordinance?

I personally believe that the banning of this book is a clear violation of our constitution's First Amendment.

 

It's just wrong.

 

Discuss.[/color]

 

 

It is not a ban. A ban would be: "You cannot bring that book to school."

Choosing not to include a book in a childrens' library is discretion.

 

What if the book showed jews smiling in Nazi camps? How about little Afghani kids smiling as they picked up Taliban boobytraps and (previously) unexploded Soviet ordinance?

Are you really equating Cuba with Nazi Germany and Afghanistan?

 

:lol :lol :lol :lol

Oh now you've done it Fritz...