Ralph Ellison's landmark 1952 novel, "Invisible Man," has been banned from school libraries in Randolph County, N.C., deemed "too much for teenagers" by a parent due to its alleged graphic content, the Courier-Tribune reports.
Monday night, the Randolph County Board of Education voted 5-2 to remove all copies of the book from the school library shelves, after the mother of an eleventh grade student wrote in to the school board expressing her disapproval of the award-winning novel's availability in the school. She had submitted a 12-page document detailing her rationale for the book's removal, prompting the board meeting.
"This novel is not so innocent; instead, this book is filthier, too much for teenagers," wrote the concerned parent, Kimiyutta Parson. "You must respect all religions and point of views when it comes to the parents and what they feel is age appropriate for their young children to read, without their knowledge. This book is freely in your library for them to read."
"Invisible Man" addresses many social and intellectual issues of African-Americans in the first half of the 20th century, and was one of the three books rising Randleman High School juniors could choose from for their summer reading for this school year. The other choices included John Howard Griffin's "Black Like Me" and Nella Larsen's "Passing."
Before making their decision on the ban, all board members were supplied with copies of "Invisible Man" last month to read.
Board Chair Tommy McDonald called it "a hard read," while member Gary Mason deemed it had no "literary value," also opposed to the language in the novel. "I'm for not allowing it to be available," he told the Courier-Tribune.
Catherine Berry, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, explained that "Invisible Man" is on the N.C. Department of Public Instruction's "list of suggested supplemental works for high school students," but said there are other options.
"Shameful behavior," wrote one commentor on the Courier-Tribune's website. "Makes you wonder if any of these ignorant hayseeds has actually read a book. Seems nothing has changed in the South. "
"The board chair said the book is a 'hard read'. Does that mean he's too stupid to understand it?," wrote another.
In addition to the board meeting, 10-member District Media Advisory Committee also met and agreed with their decision.
