Petitioning the "RFH Reading Assignments, Rumson NJ 07760" Petition

"In other news that no one saw coming because of how idiotic it is, parents of RFH students have once again risen above and beyond the standards of stupidity they set for themselves by trying to ban certain books from the school curriculum. We now go with you live to scene where said parents, in an effort to show just how dumb they really are, have been attempting to figure out what there children should read, despite the existence of an entire organization called a 'school' that has been dedicated to that task since 1936. These same parents seem to ignore the fact that students can think for themselves in one of the most embarrassing cases of helicopter parenting the world has ever seen. All we can say for sure is that this reporter knows these parents to be wall-licking, floor-rolling, pants-on-head insane. And that Catch-22 is the best book ever."

When I worked at RFH, I was proud of the challenging and diverse text selections we read, grappled with and, ultimately learned from (myself included). I'm saddened that banning texts is being considered a reasonable option. I hope it does not come to pass. I find it strange that one could read the thoughtful, articulate responses of alumni who have read, loved and felt changed by these books and still think they have no value. Is not the evidence of the value of these texts right here in the comments? I am so proud of my former students for articulating my feelings concerning censorship of literature far more eloquently than I ever could. Oh, and my favorite banned book (as a teacher) is The Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. I don't know how many kids told me it was the first book they actually finished because it was the first book they enjoyed reading.

As one of the proudest alumni (2009), I am even prouder to stand in support of our English department and teachers. Banning books – no matter what degree of vulgarity– is wholly unacceptable in both a free society and a community struggling with its identity as being in a "bubble." I certainly hope common sense prevails. Go Dawgs!

Huckleberry Finn is one of my favorites

Catch-22

Amadeus and Taming of the Shrew

I have always put my complete trust into RFH's amazing english program and I have most certainly reaped the benefits of it. Being uncomfortable with the material is the best way to learn to be not only a good reader but an intelligent thinker. If someone is offended, they should talk through the text, not hide from it.

This is unacceptable- especially in a community notorious for being sheltered from reality. Parents need to realize that there is far more harm done than good when trying to shield their children from anything that could be potentially bad or scary. Is RFH seriously going to become a community of ignorant students who will no longer understand references to some of the world's most influential literature?The literature that I read in high school impacts all forms of media. Quite frankly there is more crudity in songs on the radio, and commercials on TV, than in any book I read in high school. Please excuse my rant, but coming from somebody who spent most of her time at RFH trying to pop the bubble, I cannot sit back and pretend this is ok. Please sign this petition.

not surprised, smh

Pride and Prejudice

☀️ Thank you, Caitlin Waters

I was born in country where government dictated what was allowed to read, to watch and think. Books are a voice that should never be silenced.

Some parents at RFH will supply their kids with anything to hinder an education from television with over a thousand channels; to red cups, ping pong balls and booze for the weekends, yet banning books is an issue. Leave the books out of it, chances are majority of kids dont even read it and use sparknotes. Don't ruin it for kids who actually read the books and want to be intrigued by one once in a while.

Grapes of Wrath along with Fahrenheit 451

Nana- by Zola. One of the great classics about a morally bankrupt prostitute who destroys everyone she encounters. Are you going to ban that too?

lives have been lost and gained in the fight for freedom of expression in this country and across the world. Censorship is concealing a part of the world that non the less exists, that regardless will have to be faced and dealt with, so why not be informed?

Who is more to be pitied, a writer bound and gagged by policemen or one living in perfect freedom who has nothing more to say? -Kurt Vonnegut

This is disgusting, these books help open the minds of these kids so that they don't end up like some of their parents. Between this and the Knollwood situation earlier in the year, it's becoming more and more clear that some of these parents care only about political correctness in the community and they'll stop at nothing until they achieve it in it's entirety. Stop the sheltering, stop the madness.

I learned to love English literature I'm the classrooms of RFH. I did not, nor do any other students, need a 'trigger warning' to intelligently interact with mature content. Helicopter parents should go find a hobby to channel their ample energies, instead of attempting to neuter legitimate curicula.

Well said, Caitlin Waters.