To kill a mockingbird banned in Scottish school

'The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.' I have taught To Kill a Mockingbird and racism was one of many issues raised. I've also taught Knots and Crosses by Malory Blackman and Roll of Thunder, hear my cry. I can't remember the author offhand. I am sad that a decision made by a school to drop a text has caused this furore. English teachers constantly update texts so that they appeal to teenagers. They are almost never racist so to call them that is unfair.

Aveline - your point is excellent !
What an opportunity to explore racism in the classroom.

We’re living in 1984 nowadays with everyone under scrutiny. It’s enough to make you paranoid.

Why can’t they just use the book as it’s always been used but with the caveat that it contains observations and attitudes that are outdated by current societal standards ?
Surely this is the right approach ?
You can’t junk your history and literature and eradicate it just because modern society has changed. We all know that attitudes are different now. And we are for the most part glad of it.
But don’t wipe it out. Don’t destroy it. Because if you do that you’re heading on the path of the Cultural Revolution in China, where artists/ writers/ journalists were killed for expressing an alternative view to the new doctrines adopted by the State.
We’ll be having public book burnings next as the libraries are ‘cleansed’.

So, in a society that is predominantly white, who should stand up to protect black minorities? Only reason to ban this book is you don't want to present this view to young people. I come to the conclusion the people banning this must be racist.

Just to confirm, this is in Scotland not South Africa.

I was trying to find a frightening piece by Dame Helena Kennedy on this very subject but no luck.

EssPee
They’re already here.
Watch this. Make sure you look at the title: We need to check your thinking!!!! youtu.be/iCxQI9U_xHE

How very sad. We are heading in a terrifying direction. Thought police next?

Very foolish decision which is being widely derided. It's an ideal way for good teachers to illustrate changing attitudes and to examine historical aspects of racism. All the more reason to especially keep this book on school curriculums (a)

Glad it hasn't been banned everywhere. Bad decision in my view.

It's in my grandson's list to study at school next year.

Not read it for years now, but I used to read it annually (once I’d got over the dislike of reading that studying A Level English left me with). I agree absolutely that it is a good starting point for looking at racism and discrimination and I imagine a reasonable school would counterbalance it with more modern depictions. Such a great shame.

25Avalon

If Atticus was a saviour how come he lost the case and his client went to jail and wound up dead?

Exactly what I thought !

Oh dear. My favourite book.

If Atticus was a saviour how come he lost the case and his client went to jail and wound up dead?

I think it’s a very sad decision.