While I respect Yamanaka's critic's opinions and I can understand that there is some merit in their claims, I don't agree with some of their actions. In the "No Talk Stink" article, Choo writes about the time Yamanaka wasn't allowed to do her book reading in a high school because the administration didn't approve her books even though the students all had permission forms from their parents giving them consent to attend the reading. I find that banning something like this is completely counter-productive; the kids will either miss out on a cultural experience or they'll be so curious, they'll go out and read it on their own. I was also appalled by the reaction of her challengers at the ceremony where her former students accepted it on her behalf and the guests turned away!
I disagree with the members of the UH Pamantasan Council on their idea that even though "it's the author's prerogative to be culturally insensitive and disrespectful...the board should reconsider its award to Ms. Yamanaka and honor the dignity of all human beings." I think this group missed the entire premise of the book and focused solely on a fraction of it. With her background of helping at-risk Filipino children, I don't think it was her intention to be disrespectful to anyone.
It really gets my goat when school administrators block off readings or events simply because they are "controversial". Without controversy, there is no stimulating of the mind, no creativity or passion or room to have an opinion. If something, like a book, has such a huge impact on not only the little island of Hawaii but an entire race of people, then the people deserve a chance to understand what is being said and by who and why it is being said. The dignity of human beings is not being compromised by a book, it is only when that book is banned, stepped on, spat on and burned that the stupidity of human beings is being capitalized.
ReplyDelete