Published: September 13, 2006 08:48 am
The war over one book at a prestigious private school
By Barbara Minze-Afterthoughts
I normally just start writing, but I did think about this for a day or so before putting it in print. I felt sure some would certainly misunderstand the message, and I figured that if I ever wanted to get “deported” from a community, this would work. The problem is that I do not want this to happen, but there is something to be learned from the wisdom of the lady who was at the top level of this Episcopal School in Austin.
To say the least, St. Andrews Episcopal School in Austin is an elite one - it was the school where George and Laura Bush sent their daughters; several children of the King Ranch heirs attended this school. The tuition is between $10,000 and $15,000 per year.
For 26 years, a Waco native, Lucy Nazro has spent much of her 24-hour day on these grounds. Despite minor incidents, the school had a reputation of unity, a close-knit group of parents, all with the same or similar goals for their children- a good education in a Christian environment. Episcopal Schools are often recognized for their excellent curriculum, and their encouragement of Christian values.
I have several reasons for sharing this with readers. One is my very strong belief on the danger of censorship in public school libraries. Another, perhaps my own tolerance for the mistakes of others; and, for the understanding that everyone is not like me. I do not expect my friends to always agree with me, and I am a firm believer that we should all be able to agree to disagree. Sometimes, this is very hard in a small town.
As it happened, it was very hard in this close-knit public school.
In 1999, an new English teacher joins the staff on the campus of this expensive private school. As she moves up to senior instruction in the next couple of years, she approaches her superiors with the recommendation of a new book. She wants to add “Brokeback Mountain” to the reading assignment for seniors, and explains that it will be taught during the third tri-mester, as the students are then doing college work and preparing for the outside world - the college life in most cases.
She is well aware that the book is controversial, the story of two gay cowboys, but she thinks there are lessons to be learned from reading it. She asks that her superior read it first before approving it.
This is done, and Lucy Nazro’s misery is about to begin. Talk is already circulating about the upcoming movie, but it has not yet been released. After careful consideration and listening to the teacher’s reasons, the book is approved.
Within the next couple of years, adding this one book to the curriculum would cost the school a few million dollars in pledges from conservative parents, who were very critical about the addition of the book to the reading assignment for their seniors.
Lucy Nazro was a good listener, and she listened to the anger of parents; the threats in some cases of withdrawing either students or funds Finally, she decided she must read the book herself, and she did.
It is interesting how that once trouble begins on a school campus, it often moves on to other issues. By the end of 2005, there were complaints over the fact that the school did not observe a “National Day of Prayer”, but they did observe a “National Day of Silence.” As for the “prayer day”, it was explained that “our students pray every day in chapel.” The “National Day of Silence” is a day sometimes observed where students do not speak for an entire day in recognition of people without a voice in society.
Lucy Nazro had worked hard for 26 years to create a flawless atmosphere in this well respected school. Now, everything had changed. There were many supporters, but most often we hear about the complaints more often than we do about those who support a policy.
Much took place in the months prior to the first student reading of the book, and much changed afterward. Space does not permit, nor do we wish to go into great detail about all this. John Spong recently wrote an excellent article for Texas Monthly about the dilemma at this good school. Reading it, I remembered when all of this had started and that I had forgotten the details.
I was quite impressed with the words he quoted that had been spoken to a group by Lucy Nazro, who at the time was tired and frustrated by the entire period of events.
She explained: “This is an Episcopal school, a school where emphasis is on reason and open inquiry. An Episcopal school is basically modeled on love. Maybe in some people’s minds, a Christian school would not teach “Brokeback Mountain”, but in my mind being a Christian is how one treats other people.
“What we hope here is that kids will learn a little about the world outside, its hurt and its brokenness and then go out and do something to make it a better place.” In every way that Spong portrayed this woman, one was quite aware that she had a special gift - tolerance.
We will quote one longtime friend mentioned in the article - Charlie Cook, a professor for many years, who had the following to say with regard to her position of allowing this controversial subject to be injected into a private school curriculum.
He said, “Think of a dirt road. The toughest place to make your way is right down the middle. If one moves to the ruts on either side, the way is much easier. It is in the middle that one encounters the rocks and other obstacles. Life is much easier when it is black and white.”
I wrote a column not long ago about this very subject. Much of our life today is no longer black and white, but gray. Many cannot understand these “gray” areas. According to Cook, many people are uncomfortable with the Episcopal Church because they are inclined to accept the “grays”.
And, now I know you are wondering - “Did I read “Brokeback Mountain?” The answer is “No”, and I probably won’t. However, I did read “The Scarlet Letter”, “To Kill A Mockingbird”, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, and several others that were banned from public school libraries a few years ago (I think some have made it back to the shelves now).
I do find it a bit unusual here that most children can turn on the television at will and see just about any sexual situation they wish; they can watch just about any type of violence or horror. If their parents approve, they can rent movies not at all appropriate for their age group, and not one word is said.
Yet, from what I read, this one teacher was hoping to teach these graduating seniors something they would encounter very soon after they graduated (if they had not already done so). We all live in a completely different world than it was 30 years ago. Our opinions may not have changed, but in some cases, our tolerance must.
(Barbara Minze is editor for the Hubbard City News and an editor for the Mexia Daily News. She may be contacted by email at bminzenews@hillsboro.net.)
http://www.mexiadailynews.com/variety/local_story_256084854.html?keyword=topstory 
