Just Childrens' Books? -- "Banned" Discussions

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 22910

Hi --

Rain Tor wrote:

> I also encourage the group to fight the BAN on dealing
> with such issues. The greatest controvery that HP has
> generated has been among the Christian Right, how
> silly is it that the HP adult discussion group refuses
> to discuss it... HP is a children's book.

While I agree with your thoughts that we should seriously debate issues
raised by these books (after all, that's why we're here!) -- I don't
agree with the assertion that the HP books are childrens' books.  We had
a nice discussion about that very issue sometime in the last 2 weeks.
If you search our Message Archives for the word "children" or
"childrens," you should be able to come up with the messages.  I've
always argued (strongly!) that IMO this series is really adult fiction
that can be enjoyed by children rather than childrens' books that happen
to appeal to a large number of adults.  I think Bloomsbury initially
marketed PS to the 9-12 year old demographic group because Harry, the
main character, was 11 in that particular volume.  Harry et al. will be
adults when the series is completed so it would be hard to market the
entire series to 9-12 year olds in any case I would think.  Marketing
aside though, I do think the books could not have such a strong adult
following (those who read & enjoy them AND those like us who obsessively
join internet discussion groups) if they didn't touch on some issues &
themes that truly appeal to adult readers.

> I also encourage the group to fight the BAN on dealing
> with such issues. <snip>
>
> Debate does not threaten a view.  Unless one sees
> disagreement as a threat to a view.
>
As List Owner & member of our Moderator Team, I want to add my agreement
with John's action in calling a halt to the discussions of the Abanes
book & related issues.  I want to emphasize though (particularly for the
benefit of new members) that banning topics of discussion is an
extraordinary action around here -- it is not something that we do
lightly or at the first sign of dissension or disagreement.  We love a
good spirited debate!  I am a strong advocate of free speech & no
censorship of discussions -- it troubles me greatly to "ban" any topic
of discussion.  But, we have found through experience that there are a
few select topics that will generate more ill will than reasoned
debate.  As most of you know, those topics are politics (except for
Wizarding World politics), the Holocaust and most recently, the Abanes
book & related religious discussions.  I do think it's still fine to
speculate about religion in the Wizarding World, but we should avoid
discussions about "muggle religions."  I realize it can be a fine line,
and the issue is certainly related very closely to topics that we
*should* probably discuss & debate (book-banning for example).  I think
the overriding thing to remember is that this is a very large group with
diverse members around the globe; therefore, it's critical that we avoid
posting things that can be hurtful or insensitive to others.  The
religion posts, we have found, can too easily tread on dangerous ground
in this regard.

Also --

> If anyone reading this lives in the South, I am sorry to point it out, and indeed things have changed, but not
> completly.
>
Uh .... this is, as I pointed out above, a very large group.  Quite a
few of us live in the South.  I am a native Texan in fact.  The South
does not have a monopoly on intolerance.  I will leave it at that.

Penny
The Magical Moderator Team


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