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TA TALKS BACK: BANNING TWILIGHT

Posted June 25th, 2009 By: flick 29 Comments »

TA fan Shaelana talks about what she thinks about some schools banning Twilight:

 

Banning Twilight by Shaelana

I recently read this article, and I thought I needed to speak out about this. I have heard complaints about sexism and now religion towards the Twilight saga. I am also a Harry Potter fan and have been hearing similar complaints for years about that series. They have even had huge public banning of the books. There are many school districts that have the books banned. If the twilight saga did not have such a HUGE success this would not be happening. I have read over 100 books this year that are about vampires, faeries, or wizards and since they are not big hits they’re not being banned, or pulled off book store shelves.

I have an opinion on this, and these groups of people that get themselves all worked up and excited. My opinion is they see this “cult phenomenon” and think that were all turning towards the books for religion and inspiration. In my own life this is not true, I have religion but when I read I don’t let this influence my life choices.The story is about vampires and vampires are fictional. It is a great read. I can see girls wanting to find a love pure and strong. I can see girls having an imagination and enjoying the books. Actually the books have some great morals, like not having sex until marriage and graduating from school.The books also have some great family values as well, Bella worries about her family and listens to her father.

So what, that it is a book about vampires and werewolves, they are fictional. I knew this when I picked up the books. It is a story, its all made up and has no effect on my life. As for the “Cullenist”, this kinda thing happens a lot actually. People get so caught up in religion they start cults, or they join PETA and become completely Vegan. People get inspired, or people get obsessed. I can read a book about women’s rights and get so obsessed that i go an burning my underwear. People act out irrationally to anything they read, watch or even hear. This is their choice, its not all of the fans. I don’t like to be judged by a group of people, who say I am just like a group of individuals with some of the same interests as me.

I can read what I want to read. I do think that parents have the right to choose what their kids read. I do not approve of organizations trying to dictate what people read in general, its a freedom that we all have and should have. The Twilight saga is amazing to me, I know that it is fictional. It came from the mind of a stay at home Mormon mom. Stephenie dreamed it. So I guess that these groups of people would also say that she shouldn’t have even dreamed of the story. As humans we have imaginations, and like to have fun. Stephenie Meyer wrote a book, and turned it into a career. It is her way to support her family, with her imagination. She wrote a saga of books that is actually getting teen girls into reading again. I praise her for that.

Reading a nice set of books about love and fantasy, it is just a way that I like to spend my time. I don’t think about biting people, I know that I cant shape shift. I just like to read and these are some great books. To people who aren’t interested in the saga, I say “Don’t read them then!”. Just don’t try to take away these books for people who want the chance to read them. That’s not fair. Its not a nice thing to try and push your views on life onto other people. We all have the right to make our own decisions and if that is to read a good saga of books, so be it.

Don’t go pulling the books off shelves or banning them in schools. What you may not let your kids read, I may let mine. Give everyone the chance to make their own decisions. There is nothing wrong with Twilight, in my opinion. There is action, love, fantasy, family and just teen drama as well. Bella is normal and living her life and then it just all changes. When I think about wanting a life like that, it is cause I want those kind of caring friends. I want a guy to look at me like I am the only thing he sees. I want best friends and family that care that much about me. I like to get into trouble every once in a while, who doesn’t?

So just leave the Twilight saga alone, and turn your attention to more important things, that need dealing with! I really hope this does not turn into a religious backlash. Though in most cases it would just lead to more publicity and get more attention to the books, resulting in more fans. It could also though scare parents and making them ban the books from their kids with no real knowledge of whats they are about.

Talk Back to us….what do you think?







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  • Sarah

    I totally agree. At our school, we pretty much have one big group of kids that are “Twilamites”, as my friend refers to us as, or in the more official term, Twilighters, and everyone just thinks our mind only revolves around Twilight. Granted, yes, most things make something from the saga pop into our head, but still. Then, at the library, we aren’t allowed to read any of the books. (I’m in middle school, and the grades are 5-8) Fifth graders can’t check out any of the books, but they’re still allowed to read them. I find it complicated and stupid because it’s pretty much that you can’t check them out, but if you buy them, the teachers and staff encourage you to read the saga (up to Eclipse- BD is still a bit much for 5/6 graders…). I just find any bans against it stupid, because if they wan’t it banned, why is it their business? If they hate it, and don’t read it, why do they care if other people do??? I am very frustrated with some of this Twilight saga controversy going on.

    ~PsychicVampireAlice

  • mcullenvamp

    I read something about this a few months ago, right after the movie came out…
    I believe there are a lot of positives about the Twilight Saga, apart from the captivating story and characters so beautifully written by SM.

    …the Cullen family values…the strength of their family bonds … The relationship between Bella and her father… the loyalty of true friendship… no sex ’til marriage… graduating high school… the spirituality of Carlisle despite his being a vampire he still believes there is redemption for his soul and chose a path of good…the relationship between Bella & Edward and all its dynamics…

    I could go on for a while…. i’m really curious what other positive aspects other twilighters feel make the Twilight Saga

  • jordanplustwo

    I think this is rediculous banning books? What’s next banning music tv movies? And here I thought this was america where this kind of crap shouldn’t be happening

  • Chelle

    In the few months that I’ve been a fan of the series, I have come across enormous disdain towards this story. Endless numbers of articles why women of certain age shouldn’t read it, why kids shouldn’t read it. For some reason, these people who are worried about Twilight (or any other series) cults just seem to me that THEY are the extremists. It’s all for fun, people!

    One commonality I’ve noticed in these articles written in opposition to Twilight is that it is supposed to appeal to the “uneducated”. I cannot help but be offended by this insinuation. I didn’t fry my brains trying to get an education to be labeled as such just because I enjoy reading SM’s novel. Isn’t keeping an open mind the most important result of being educated? Then why do so many of these so called columnists, critics, etc write their reviews of the series in a way that it is almost derogatory to the ones who do enjoy them and make assumptions that we will make this book our life bible?

    I think it’s ridiculous almost to the point that it is funny. They need to loosen up, read a book with an open mind and delve into their lost youth so they can lose themselves in this simply written, wonderful story, with values and morals included, and just maybe they’ll stop trying to convince everyone else not to read it. And as a parent myself, I would most certainly gain knowledge about a book firsthand before making any decisions whether or not to ban it in my home.

  • http://twilightersanonymous Marianne

    I think every generation has to deal with this, being in Middle School or in High School. I guess I’m of the mind set that if your parents object to you reading the book that’s where it should end. Their feelings should not be imposed on the rest of the students in the school. When I was in High school a group of parents from a specific church tried to get The Catcher in the Rye( I’m dating myself here) banned from our HS, but the English Dept. was filled with head strong female teachers and the parents weren’t successful. It ended with the kids whose parents didn’t want them to read it, didn’t. They read something else.
    Sometimes adults underestimate the ability of young people to be more mature and can handle much more than they were able to at the same age.
    The twilght Saga has many good life lessons and it is just a plain, beautiful love story.

  • StephCullen44

    Word of Wisdom from Twilight;

    The right thing isn’t always real obvious. Sometimes the right thing for one person is the wrong thing for someone else. So… good luck figuring that out.
    Charlie Swan, Eclipse, Chapter 16, p.363

    Like everything in life, I just had to decide what to do with what I was given.
    Carlisle Cullen, New Moon, Chapter 2, p.35

    Besides, friends don’t let friends drive drunk.
    Edward Cullen, Twilight, Chapter 13, p.284

    It had not been Edward and Jacob that I’d been trying to force together, it was the two parts of myself, Edward’s Bella and Jacob’s Bella. But they could not exist together, and I never should have tried.
    Bella Swan, Eclipse, Chapter 27, p.608

    At least my mom and dad and my friends will know the best part of my choice, the most I’m allowed to tell them. They’ll know I chose you, and they’ll know we’re together. They’ll know I’m happy, wherever I am. I think that’s the best I can do for them.
    Bella Swan, Eclipse, Chapter 27, p.616

    Not only is twilight jampackedwith wisdom, it also teaches the youth of today Vocabulary, heck their making a book that uses twilight to study for the S.A.T!!!

    Twilight is a great book. It even encourages the readers to pick up a classic such as Wuthering heights, Romeo and juliet, Animal Farm and The merchant of venice. Bella is consantly reading Jane Austens (sp?) books and well, is constantly reading.

  • Katie

    amen!

    thank goodness someone finally came out and said it. i completely agree with you in that it is fictional and not something to get worked up about. of course, many of us an become overly obsessed with it at times, but hey, it happens. we just love twilight. :)

    and it is pretty ridiculous that everyone thinks this is some kind of cult that is just trying to turn every teenager in america’s back on their life and their religion. it’s a love story that just happens to have vampires and werewolves.

    i am also a fan of the harry potter series, and when i was in junior high, they didn’t have the series in the school library because it “promoted irrational beliefs and values” as they told us. however, that is not the case, and it’s not the case for twilight either. i believe that both series equally promote excellent values as you said, like abstinence and family.

    so, i say again, that you for writing this :)

  • http://twilightersanonymous Marianne

    Isn’t the whole point of reading fiction to be entertained, and be taken away from what’s real.
    So many critics have said that Twilight goes beyond the realms of reality and sends all these messages to girls.
    It’s a story, a fictional story and there are those that want to make it into something it’s not. I think Steph herself said she was not trying to send any kind of message or teach any lessons to any one, the same as JK Rowling, she just wrote a book about a make believe world and make believe characters that she hoped those who read it would enjoy.
    Chelle: sometimes I think critcs or people who didn’t enjoy the book/movie just want to think they can control the direction of how other people should see things.
    I was a willful child and am just the same as an adult. I am proud I have a mind of my own, and enjoy meeting like minded people. It makes for great conversations.

  • Chris

    I would find it pretty funny if any comments posted here were derrogatory towards Twilight. :)

    Fear and ignorance are the reasons people are afraid of Twilight. Throw in a little hearsay and there you have it.

    Sometimes people will argue until red in the face without having any idea of what they’re talking about. Esp in regards to the books. A parent will hear from another parent and then base their opinion on thin air without finding out for themselves. There are so many parodies or videos of a parent swiping their daughters book and nonchalantly reading and next thing you know they’re hiding the book until the kid goes to school so they can read it.

    I can’t for a second understand banning Twilight.

    Oh, and Chelle, I have a degree and I’m as caught up in this phenomenon as much as anyone. But if someone wants to call me uneducated let them. They’d be inaccurate though because after I found the twilight series I’m more of a freak. =) hahah

  • Twilight Mom Australia

    Good on Shaelana for writing this and for all the comments so far….
    Sometimes banning something makes people more aware and interested
    So in fact by trying to ban Twilight, the more publicity it’s getting…..Ha..
    Same was said with Harry Potter, ban HP because of the magic thing etc..
    There was outrage from religious groups .. ” The turning water into wine thing” Halloo people “magic”. Maybe Jesus was a magician-you know like Merlin, gee.
    I think religion has a lot to answer for , how many wars were started because of religion,( History lesson right there!!!) and are still happening because of religion ”Middle East ring a bell?”.
    So yeh, back off and leave Twilight and Harry Potter alone, one more quick thing didn’t the Harry Potter books inspire children to read who normally would not read,
    I know both my boys do not like to read , but they did read Harry Potter do they want to turn into evil sorcerers, of course not. They know it’s a story, fantasy, make believe.
    So in closing like Shaelana said there are more important things, that need dealing with !!!
    NOT the banning books written by a Mormon Mom with good family values about loyalty of true friendship… no sex ’til marriage… graduating high school…etc..
    I say a BIG thank you to Stephenie Meyer and J K Rowling…….

  • mamonita

    I think that these critics underestimate how readers perceive and absorb what we read. Well, yeah “maybe” they have a point that the storyline is thin and everything. But Hey Critics! this is a feel good saga! If I want to think critically and analyze stuffs and everything, I should’ve read Newsweek and the like.
    Labeling people uneducated because they love reading Twilight saga, HP and like is pure denseness.If you don’t like it, don’t read it. End of story. As if we, the people loving the saga will unite and form our own country and religion, now that’s so fictional.

  • http://twilightersanonymous Marianne

    Very well said Twi-mom. Did you ever read Phillip Pullman’s Dark Material Series. It’s a trilogy, the first being The Golden Compass, Chris w.’s movie. It met with a lot of religious criticism, which is why it didn’t do well here in the states. It did much better internationally, though it did win an Oscar for cinematography. I did like the series, but again it was looked down on by certian groups. I don’t know why books about fantasy, wizards etc. make some so frightened they feel the need to ban them.

    How Midnight Sun going???

  • Chelle

    Sorry if it duplicates!

    I often wonder about these people who are so passionately against Twilight or HP or whatever fictional stories that draw in such an ardent fan base, are they just fans in denial? Maybe they’re hesitant to show strong emotions with no inhibitions! Well if that’s the case, I say to them, come on over, the water is warm, welcome, be crazy, goofy, mad, ecstatic, delirious, etc, we won’t judge!

    Marianne, you’re right, thank goodness for strong minds that can’t be swayed by negative reviews. It’s obvious here how strong minded fans are. I’m often amazed that I can’t tell who’s a teenager here and who are the grandparents. Something that could bridge such a gap like Twilight shouldn’t be banned, it should be recognized.

    Chris, haha, freak, that’s putting it mildly. I barely recognize myself when I get into the Twilight zone! I’ve NEVER been obsessed about anything until Twilight came along! I don’t know how to define myself! hahaha!

    And as for the students, I firmly believe that it is up to the parents what’s appropriate or not for their kids. It is the parents who will and should have the intelligent discussions about the books their kids read or shows they watch. But I do hope for the sake of our literary future that these parents take on the responsibility of examining these books first before dismissing it completely. When my son is old enough, I’ll just be excited if he wants to read at all!

    You all are so wonderful to “talk” to! Mwah!

  • Ashleigh

    I couldn’t have said it better myself.

    Everyone is intitled to their own opinion.

    So whos to say what I read, she reads, and he reads.

    It’s all in good nature, people need to stop getting their pannties in a wad!

    :)

  • http://twilightersanonymous Marianne

    Chelle: I forgot to ask you before, did you ever figure out what Chris saw in the book cover? I never did.

    Chris: give us a hint.

    I did read a book Stephenie recommended a while back Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins there is a sequel coming out in Sept. I got it because Stephenie said on her website she was reading it and really liked it. It was an easy read, and pretty good, it’s a love story. My kind of story, it takes place in the future and revolves around these 2 teenagers trying to save each others lives, if you want something to read before HP comes out, you might like it.
    I’m re-reading The Half Blood Prince, only because I just finished the Twilight Series for the, I don’t know maybe 10th time.

  • Jazzie

    so true like it’s taken straight from my mouth.

    Really there’s no reason for those ppl to ban Twilight since it’s a saga of wisdom, love and friendship. And we actually learn from the characters. Readers definitely have the freedom to choose what to and not to read.

    Support ya ;)

  • Chelle

    Marianne, no I never figured it out. thanks for the suggestion, that sounds like something I can get into, hopeless romantic! I’m waiting for my first HP book along with the Sexy Stars of Twilight, I’ll be waiting at the doorstep! Chris said it’s wonderful!

    Chris, please tell us!!! Hint? We’re a PM away…

    There will be no banning of Twilight, there’s too many of us.

  • harrietCullen

    that is sooo dumb. Pulling the Twilight Saga off selves. Why becuase people (adults) believe life isnt like that, that no one can ever find a guy that will simply love them? They havent looked hard enough. How could people simply say that the Twilight Saga is a loud o crap and it doesnt have anything to do with real life so they take the book away. Its like taking away a girls hope. In adolecents some kids need thta a book or a movie that can help them through what ever it is they are struggling with.

    My friend is no longer allowed to read the Twilight Saga books pretty much cause her mother doesnt want her mind to be filled with lies, she also never got a change with Santa and the easter bunny at the shops. Its taking away a childhood. It is the same as the book. If people (adults) take away the book, before you know it girls will be angry with life and wont give anyone a chance cause they believe that no one will ever love them.

    I think its stupid that people believe these books are nothing and that they are something that give girls ‘lying hope’ well, this ‘lying hope’ can just be the one thing a girl needs to help her through the tough times.

  • Juliette

    I just can’t understand why people think Twilight is either morbid or sexist. It’s persona non grata in my school and more than half the student body is furious with the principal. Harry Potter is also banned. I don’t see why we have to suffer just because they’re prejudiced against the books.

  • Twilight Mom Australia

    Thanks Marianne , Midnight Sun going great

    I LOVE EDWARD CULLEN * big sigh*

    but reading from a screen maketh ones eyes go all googly,

  • Aubrey

    You are completely right. My friend’s little sister goes to a public school, and her teacher will no longer allow Twilight saga books in the classroom. So my friend’s little sister now feels the need to take off put covers over the books, so she can still read them. So the teacher by making the rule, has only taught her students to dissobey her. I suggest that if parents or teachers want thier students to read, then they should not put limits. Cause if they do their students or children will just rebel !

  • EmiliaVampireGirl

    yes!! i didnt even know Twilight books were baned rom some schools – thats just insane! i mean every time something is banned, people want it even more!

  • Caroline

    I completely agree with you on every word, especially “I can read what I want to read. I do think that parents have the right to choose what their kids read. I do not approve of organizations trying to dictate what people read in general, its a freedom that we all have and should have.”

    I am a mother of two little girls and I don’t want ANYBODY else telling MY kids what they can and can’t read. I think my husband and I are the ONLY ones who should be allowed to have a say when it comes to our kids reading material. It’s just like when I was growing up, my parents would watch a movie first before making a decision on if it is appropriate enough for me to watch. Parents should do the same thing when it comes to books if the whole thought of banning books are scaring them off. They should read the books first and make an informed decision. Not just take some fanatics word for it.

    Why even have kids if you are just going to let somebody else raise them? We’re going to have a world full of lemmings who don’t know how to make decisions on their own and rely strictly on organizations to tell them what they should do in their own lives.

  • http://twilightersanonymous Marianne

    Very well said Caroline, and from the comments above it looks like the younger fans have some thoughtful opinions.
    By not allowing young people to experience certain things, forbidding them only helps them become creative in finding ways to be devious. I have friends who have become so much closer with their daughters because of reading the twilight series together. It has opened up a whole dialog about life, love, and appropriate behavior.
    It is sad when a child can not experience the wonders of childhood because of the hangups of a parent. I raised 2 very well educated, well adjusted young men, and it wasn’t be restricting what they were exposed to.
    Sure you want to protect them from harm, like running with scissors and drugs, but to not let them see the good and the bad in things how can they make the right choices when you are no longer around. Like the first year of college, every parents nightmare unless the kid has experienced life as it is, good, bad and wonderful.

  • http://twilightersanonymous Marianne

    Twi-mom – yeah I know what you mean, I fell asleep with the computer in my lap several times while reading it. The screen does tire out your eyes. But it’s worth every blinking minute. Ha,Ha

    Chelle: Oh you haven’t read HP..how exciting for you, you’ll like them I’m sure. It was after the HP series was finished that I got into Twilight, the girls at B&N suggested I try Twilight. There was that need to read something that would take me away again, and Twilight sure did that. The HP books get better and better. There is so much material that is not in the movies, they are great to read.

  • Chelle

    TwiMom Australia: I finished MS all on computer, but a cousin of mine, out of her desperate love for Edward, found a way to paste it all on word, page by page, and able to print it. I have it somewhere saved in my email if you are interested. Let me know. I’m a PM away.

    Marianne: Yes, I’m hoping HP will distract me from Twilight, I keep trying to read other books, but once I’m done, I’m back on Twilight again. I’m in the middle of re-reading Eclipse again, and already itching to read NM again for some reason!

    Caroline: I like what you said, banning books based on other people’s opinions is like letting someone else morally raise your child. It’s beyond ridiculous.

  • Judy Bradley

    I really do not understand banning and criticizing books, movies, etc. that one has not read or seen. I know some people who do that and forbid their kids to take part. I have always been a HP fan and now Twilight is really a big part of my life. But I think it is because we all want to be loved, appreciated, & needed, and we all need to be able to dream and sometimes escape to a fantasy world. Edward’s love for Bella has given her purpose in life and, once she realizes his love is real and true, it also gives her a place to fit in. She really did not before, in spite of the love of her parents, she never felt a part of life. I relate to that quite well, do I want to meet a vampire? NO (Hey fiction, remember) But I would like to be a part of someone’s life like Bella is. I am not a young person either, I am a grandma. I am re-reading for the 5th time and can’t tell you how often I have watched Twilight.
    I met a young man yesterday who said his school gave them a list of books to choose from to read and Twilight was there, so he read it and has now read them all and is anxiously awaiting the New Moon movie too.

  • Emilia

    OME! thats totally crazy! why would they ban Twilight books? have they even read them? I didn’t think so!!!!!!!! dont judge a book by its cover!

  • ~TeamSethC~

    This is stupid! Twilight is a book, why ban it?It makes absolutely no sense! Alright, there one or two sex scenes in it, but no detail! So it say she left her towel on a tree, and then Edward pulledher against him. BIG DEAL!! There are billions of kids around the world who lve Twilight! But seriously, I go to a Christian school, and the books aren't banned! If my teachers see me reading one of the books, they makean awkward face, and let me read it! My mom lets me read the books, and watch the movies… I wouldn't read the books if I haven't seen the movies, and if I haven't seen the movies, I wouldn't want to see them unless kids at school are talking about th movie, and books, then I'd beg my mom until she let me… So, if our parents let us read the books and watch the movies, then the teachers know that it's not wrong for us to read/watch them! Why should they be banned?

 

 

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