Miami school board bans Cuba book

Jenjie · 16-06-2006, 10:41 AM

Educational authorities in the US city of Miami have voted in favour of removing a controversial book about Cuba from the city's school libraries.
The book sparked protests from some in the Cuban exile community, but its removal could lead to a legal battle.

The Miami Dade School board voted six to three in favour of removing the 32-page geography book A Visit to Cuba from public school libraries.

It follows months of campaigning by Cuban exiles to have it removed.

They say it portrays an idealised view of life in Cuba - and fails to reflect what they describe as the harsh conditions Cubans have lived under since Fidel Castro came to power in 1959.

Legal appeal

It first came to the attention of Cuban exile leaders after a young Cuban American student brought the book home and showed it to her father - a Cuban dissident who had served time in prison on the island.

He demanded the book's withdrawal, saying it was biased and full of lies.

However, the American Civil Liberties Union has already reacted to the move by describing it as a flagrant act of censorship which violates the US Constitution.

They say they are going to launch a legal appeal against the ban to force the school board to put the book back in school libraries.

Like so many of these issues relating to Cuban politics in Miami, the vote was divided along ethnic lines - with Hispanic board members voting in favour of the ban and all others against.

But not all Cubans in Miami support the ban.

Some who spoke in favour of it remaining on the shelves accused conservative Cuban exiles of becoming the mirror image of the totalitarian system in Cuba they oppose.

www.bbc.co.uk

berrywoman · 16-06-2006, 08:22 PM

I think the book should remain. I haven't seen the book.. but they bring a valid point.. its censorship. Besides that.. not everyone in Cuba hates it there.. I don't agree with Castro and his policies.. but, to each his own.

Its censorship... but then again, it wouldn't be the first time they 'removed' or banned a book.. hell, some schools banned Harry Potter! Go figure..

MrLick · 27-06-2006, 08:04 AM

"not everyone in Cuba hates it there.. I don't agree with Castro and his policies.. but, to each his own."

Yeah theres a few people that dont, but the majority of cuba lives in poverty because of castro and his policies.

victaniac · 27-06-2006, 08:43 AM

I heard of this in the news.. I haven't read the book but I think it should've stayed. I don't like the thought of the government deciding what one can and cannot read.. and I'd like to believe that freedom of speech not only protects the speech that is approved by the majority, but also protects the speech that is the most rejected and hated. I guess that's not the case, though.

16-06-2006, 10:41 AM	#1
Jenjie PA to SammyBeeBurns Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 5,805 My Mood: Location: at Coldplaying.com Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 35 Thanked 90 Times in 41 Posts	Miami school board bans Cuba book Educational authorities in the US city of Miami have voted in favour of removing a controversial book about Cuba from the city's school libraries. The book sparked protests from some in the Cuban exile community, but its removal could lead to a legal battle. The Miami Dade School board voted six to three in favour of removing the 32-page geography book A Visit to Cuba from public school libraries. It follows months of campaigning by Cuban exiles to have it removed. They say it portrays an idealised view of life in Cuba - and fails to reflect what they describe as the harsh conditions Cubans have lived under since Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. Legal appeal It first came to the attention of Cuban exile leaders after a young Cuban American student brought the book home and showed it to her father - a Cuban dissident who had served time in prison on the island. He demanded the book's withdrawal, saying it was biased and full of lies. However, the American Civil Liberties Union has already reacted to the move by describing it as a flagrant act of censorship which violates the US Constitution. They say they are going to launch a legal appeal against the ban to force the school board to put the book back in school libraries. Like so many of these issues relating to Cuban politics in Miami, the vote was divided along ethnic lines - with Hispanic board members voting in favour of the ban and all others against. But not all Cubans in Miami support the ban. Some who spoke in favour of it remaining on the shelves accused conservative Cuban exiles of becoming the mirror image of the totalitarian system in Cuba they oppose. www.bbc.co.uk __________________ "The fat lady has sung and the world's Vida has been well and truly Viva-ed." - R#42 14th March 2010 I've got my "I Heart Coldplaying.com, It's My Life" knickers in a twist!!! 2012: 9&10 June - Manchester Etihad; 2011: 4 Dec - MEN Arena 2010: 25 Nov - Boat Trip 2009: 30 Jan - Absolute Radio; 18 Feb - War Child; 19 Sep - Wembley 2008: 11&12 Dec - MEN Arena 2005: 4&5 July - Reebok Stadium; 19 Dec - MEN Arena 2003: 14 Apr - MEN Arena 2002: 20 June - Mountford Hall; 11 Oct - MEN Arena

16-06-2006, 08:22 PM	#2
berrywoman Guy-a-licious Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 27,692 My Mood: Location: New York Cares Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I think the book should remain. I haven't seen the book.. but they bring a valid point.. its censorship. Besides that.. not everyone in Cuba hates it there.. I don't agree with Castro and his policies.. but, to each his own. Its censorship... but then again, it wouldn't be the first time they 'removed' or banned a book.. hell, some schools banned Harry Potter! Go figure.. __________________ http://www.last.fm/user/berrychen/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://nyc-specialist.tumblr.com/

27-06-2006, 08:04 AM	#3
MrLick How I Made My Millions Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 26,001 My Mood: Location: Spokane. Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 58 Thanked 39 Times in 19 Posts	"not everyone in Cuba hates it there.. I don't agree with Castro and his policies.. but, to each his own." Yeah theres a few people that dont, but the majority of cuba lives in poverty because of castro and his policies. __________________ Even after all this time, the Sun never says to the Earth: "You owe me". Look at what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky.

27-06-2006, 08:43 AM	#4
victaniac Sea Lion Woman Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 4,336 Location: South Florida Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I heard of this in the news.. I haven't read the book but I think it should've stayed. I don't like the thought of the government deciding what one can and cannot read.. and I'd like to believe that freedom of speech not only protects the speech that is approved by the majority, but also protects the speech that is the most rejected and hated. I guess that's not the case, though. __________________ http://www.isarapix.org/pix81/1207121286.gif Available HERE

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