Wesley Scroggins feels that Speak should be banned from schools. He thinks the book is "filthy" and "immoral" and called it "soft pornography" because of the rape in the book.
I'm disgusted that anyone would compare RAPE to PORNOGRAPHY. Rape and pornography are two different things. Rape is a CRIME that is about power and control, in which sex is used as the tool.
Scroggins is concerned about young people reading this book containing a rape scene. I think he should wake up. Many of those children he's concerned about have probably already been sexually assaulted in some way. I suggest he check out RAINN and get educated on the horrific stats that indicate just how prevalent sexual assault is. Shielding children/teenagers from this just hurts them. It makes bringing awareness about sexual violence even more difficult.
As a sexual assault counselor, I'm all too familiar of the dynamics of sexual violence. I'm also, unfortunately, aware of how people are more likely to turn the other cheek and pretend it doesn't exist. IGNORING IT DOESN'T MAKE IT STOP! Ignoring it allows it to continue. Ignoring it kicks the victims when they're down.
I think it's wonderful to have a book written from the perspective of a sexual assault victim, especially for young people. Many young people are too afraid to talk about what happened to them. Reading about another person's experience may give them the courage to talk about their own. Banning books like this just keeps these young people silent, leaving them to be eaten alive by their secrets. Banning books like this only conveys the message that victims should "keep quiet." "Rape is filthy and immoral. Don't talk about it."
Instead of wasting his energy trying to ban a book about sexual assault that may help victims, I suggest Wesley Scroggins use his energy to fight against sexual violence. Maybe he should try "banning" sexual assault instead of books about sexual assault.
