Only slightly less disturbing than having one's YA book banned is being told to rewrite it the way a mature adult would handle the abuse rather than a teen, so real teenagers can learn how they *ought* to handle it.
SPEAK is a brilliant title, by the way. Absolutely brilliant.
Teens are not generally listened to by adults anyway, but a teen who's been raped/abused is even more vulnerable. Finding the courage to SPEAK is an incredible journey.
Thanks for that link, Jessica. I only wish there had been books like SPEAK when I was young. The horrible thing about rape, abuse or molestation is that the victim often thinks they're the only one in the world to have such a terrible thing happen.
For me SPEAK says what those of us who are "survivors" know all too well. When you have no voice and you cannot or are not permitted to SPEAK.
It is for this reason we who are writers were given the gift. Mine is used for humor since I preferred to turn my tragedies in-side-out … but that is my personal choice and every writer, female, woman and teenager has a right to CHOICE.
We have heard this argument before, haven't we? I will always advocate CHOICE for me and my daughter and for my thirteen year old granddaughter.
Continue to twitter on this. Continue to keep people aware and alert. Losing the right to speak begins with silent acceptance.
Isn't this why we write? And why we read? To share experiences, to become wiser, to learn how to be human?
And isn't this how children become prepared to be adults – by learning from their elder's experiences? I can't think of a more meaningful way to learn than through fiction. In many cases, it beats living it in real life.
Anon 10:51, unfortunately, in my case, I actually did speak out. I was 12, the victim of a stranger molestation. It happened in a movie theater in town and I got away and hid in the restroom, terrified. Later, when I told my parents what happened, I was punished for "letting it happen." I've never understood that reaction, but it affects my relationship with my mother to this day–and I'm 60 and she is 89.
My feeling is that books like SPEAK give both victims and those around them a basis for dealing with something terrible. My parents had no idea how to handle what occurred, obviously, and neither did I. Thank goodness society is becoming more open about the sort of things that used to be covered up, because those acts become wounds that never quite heal.
My mother, me, and my daughter. All victims, different stories, different reactions and yet, all the same. I just realized that as a writer their is a powerful story there. Maybe someday. But,because of my daughter, I can't. Thank you Bookends, thank you Kate.
The rally and protest against covering up this book have been powerful and inspiring to watch this week.
Thanks for being a part of that Jessica.
My heart goes out to anyone who had to deal with this – or who has to in the future – and my deep respect and support to those who do speak out – anonymously or not – thank you!
Her post inspired me to write one of my own. Important book on a very important subject.
Only slightly less disturbing than having one's YA book banned is being told to rewrite it the way a mature adult would handle the abuse rather than a teen, so real teenagers can learn how they *ought* to handle it.
SPEAK is a brilliant title, by the way. Absolutely brilliant.
Teens are not generally listened to by adults anyway, but a teen who's been raped/abused is even more vulnerable. Finding the courage to SPEAK is an incredible journey.
-Anon 10:02
Thanks for that link, Jessica. I only wish there had been books like SPEAK when I was young. The horrible thing about rape, abuse or molestation is that the victim often thinks they're the only one in the world to have such a terrible thing happen.
I know that from first-hand experience.
For me SPEAK says what those of us who are "survivors" know all too well. When you have no voice and you cannot or are not permitted to SPEAK.
It is for this reason we who are writers were given the gift. Mine is used for humor since I preferred to turn my tragedies in-side-out … but that is my personal choice and every writer, female, woman and teenager has a right to CHOICE.
We have heard this argument before, haven't we? I will always advocate CHOICE for me and my daughter and for my thirteen year old granddaughter.
Continue to twitter on this. Continue to keep people aware and alert. Losing the right to speak begins with silent acceptance.
Don't let this happen! SPEAK!
Isn't this why we write? And why we read? To share experiences, to become wiser, to learn how to be human?
And isn't this how children become prepared to be adults – by learning from their elder's experiences? I can't think of a more meaningful way to learn than through fiction. In many cases, it beats living it in real life.
We all need to speak and stand up for, not only this book and its message, but for all abuse victims. Thanks for sharing the link.
Kate, as do I.
I am only brave enough to say it as an anon.
Perhaps not brave at all.
Kate,that was the hardest thing I ever wrote.
Anon 10:51, unfortunately, in my case, I actually did speak out. I was 12, the victim of a stranger molestation. It happened in a movie theater in town and I got away and hid in the restroom, terrified. Later, when I told my parents what happened, I was punished for "letting it happen." I've never understood that reaction, but it affects my relationship with my mother to this day–and I'm 60 and she is 89.
My feeling is that books like SPEAK give both victims and those around them a basis for dealing with something terrible. My parents had no idea how to handle what occurred, obviously, and neither did I. Thank goodness society is becoming more open about the sort of things that used to be covered up, because those acts become wounds that never quite heal.
Anon, if you ever need someone to talk to, please feel free to email me at kate@katedouglas.com.
I might just do that.
My mother, me, and my daughter. All victims, different stories, different reactions and yet, all the same.
I just realized that as a writer their is a powerful story there. Maybe someday. But,because of my daughter, I can't.
Thank you Bookends, thank you Kate.
anon. 1051
The rally and protest against covering up this book have been powerful and inspiring to watch this week.
Thanks for being a part of that Jessica.
My heart goes out to anyone who had to deal with this – or who has to in the future – and my deep respect and support to those who do speak out – anonymously or not – thank you!
Yes she did.