From the monthly archives:
I really want to write a post that is not about politics. And I’m going to. For now, however, I could not resist sharing this with you….
P.S. I attached a link to this image, as well as the previous one, in case you’re interested in actually purchasing these items.
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Everyone is watching, talking and reading about the DNC. It is, obviously, quite historical. However, somehow, among all the excitement and drama, we are still missing certain headlines. For example, how come I only found two mentions of this incident? Here is a brief recap, for those who aren’t in the know…
On Tuesday, a demonstration took place in which arrests were made. In an effort to document the arrests, a young CODEPINK woman (Alicia) was photographing the police and their aggressive behaviors. Apparently one of the local sheriffs wasn’t too pleased:
The sheriffs were NOT appreciative of Alicia’s attempt to photograph the incident. Thus, in an over-the-top, some might even say unprofessional response to Alicia’s citizen journalism, the Denver sheriff (shown in the video), apparently bashed the diminutive young woman with his baton, knocked her to the ground, and left her sprawled across the pavement in pain.
After being helped to her feet by witnesses who were shocked at the officer’s seemingly unprovoked aggression, Alicia was approached by on-site media who asked what precipitated the altercation with the sheriff. When Alicia began to tell the media what happened, the sheriff, in still another questionable act, grabbed her, collared her gruffly, whisked her off the premises, and arrested her.
This whole incident was caught on video, though some of the relevant footage is missing. When I first watched it, I was in shock. I had to review it multiple times to fully digest what happened. To be honest, I’m not sure if it was just people getting carried away (no pun intended) at a protest. However, I’m unclear what the grounds are for arrest in a situation like this one.
The question remains, how do we miss this stuff? Why isn’t this making the cover of the New York Times? Isn’t it just as important as other DNC events? Or are we already living in a “police state?” Has apathy regarding such footage become second nature?
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You may or may not notice a new link in my sidebar — the Link Analects page will act as an extended blogroll. Check it out for some good reads and let me know if I missed anything!
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The Catcher in the Rye is one of my favorite books of all time. I would even go so far to say that it was the most influential book in my adolescence. Therefore, I was literally infuriated by this article (which I found via Gawker). While reading “Why We Shouldn’t Still Be Learning Catcher in the Rye,” I continually
wanted to scream out loud — Honestly, what were you thinking, Anne Trubek?
Why is The Catcher in the Rye still a rite of high school English? Sure, J.D. Salinger’s novel was edgy and controversial when teachers first put it on their syllabi. But that was 50 years ago. Today, Salinger’s novel lacks the currency or shock value it once had, and has lost some of its critical cachet. But it is still ubiquitously taught even though many newer novels of adolescence are available.
The Catcher in the Rye cannot be compared to “newer novels of adolescence.” It does not “lack the currency or shock value it once had.” It has not “lost some of its critical cachet.” In fact, I believe Holden Caulfield remains one of the most powerful characters in literary history. I believe he continues to represent an ideal that any adolescent can relate to. He does not conform. He does not wish to give in to the expectations of society. Holden is looking for something outside of the norm. He encourages independence and free thinking. He encourages the act of questioning (an act that will never lose its relevance).
I believe that by not reading this novel, one is actually missing out on something significant, something powerful. What should we do? Remove this book from our high school reading lists because it has lost its appeal? Because other books have been written that surpass Salinger’s most famous piece of literature? Should this go for every book that was once banned? Every book that was once burned? Every book that used to be on reading lists? Are they all outdated?
I could not disagree more with Anne Trubek. I could not insist more that The Catcher in the Rye is still influential for young readers. This book was the first that I ever truly loved. It was the first time I remember reading something that I could not put down. It was the first time I realized that I actually enjoyed reading. Take that away, take that possibility away, and young readers will inevitably miss out on this experience. You don’t have to have grown up in the 1950s to identify with Holden. That is part of its beauty, its power. That is Salinger’s genius.
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