The Year They Burned the Books

THE RENEGADE TELEGRAPH

Published occasionally, independently of the Wilson High Telegraph, and expanded in that paper’s temporary absence

Buel Out; Books In!

March 18—Anna Pembar roundly defeated Lisa Buel in yesterday’s townwide school committee election, by a vote of 583 to 118. Helen Rush, the other member whose term was up, was also defeated, 580 to 121, by Theodore Gillespie.

In a written statement made public after the election, Buel said, “I’m thankful to the town for my opportunity to serve on the school committee these past few months, and I hope to continue working for the benefit of Wilson’s young people through Families for Traditional Values. It is only through strong families, strong churches, and an adherence to the principles taught in the Bible and handed down through the ages that this nation will be able to save itself from decadence and moral disaster. FTV will continue to labor cheerfully toward that end.”

Mrs. Buel’s successor, Anna Pembar, said in a phone interview, “Lisa Buel and the folks in FTV are good, sincere people, and I hope we will be able to work with them in the coming year. Even though our views differ as to methods, many of our goals are similar.”

In his campaign, Theodore Gillespie, the newly elected school committee member replacing Helen Rush, said, “The school committee, like the school itself, needs to concern itself with education, not morality. Morality needs to be taught in the home. In school, especially high school, kids need access to as many ideas and cultures as possible. It’s my intention to do everything I can to ensure that Wilson’s students have access to the free marketplace of ideas.”

Morris Just, who will continue as school committee chairman until the end of the school year, when the committee will hold their annual election of officers, told the Renegade that the committee’s first order of business will be to review the matters voted on in the public hearing last December. They will be reviewing the subcommittee’s recommendations, made in late February, for changes in the health education textbooks and curricula, studying the data gathered about the effects of condom availability at other schools, receiving applications for faculty adviser to the Wilson High Telegraph, discussing policy matters with the school librarian, and making decisions based on their findings.

“The opinion of the majority is important,” Mr. Just said. “But the majority must never be allowed to tyrannize the minority—nor must the minority be allowed to tyrannize the majority. We on the school committee want to ensure that all voices are heard and considered, and that Wilson’s young people are given the best, most professional education we can provide. I think we’ll be able to find a way to accommodate the wishes of all parents when it comes to controversial programs and materials.”

Mrs. Elena Snow, head librarian of the Wilson Public Library, and Mrs. Elizabeth Coats, of the Wilson school libraries, have told the Renegade that the books on sex education and homosexuality that were checked out of the libraries last winter and never returned have been replaced through a generous donation from Philbert Davenport. Those belonging to the public library will be reshelved. The newly elected school committee will appoint a book review committee to consider reshelving those belonging to the school libraries.

“Okay?” Jamie passed around several copies of the article. “Comments? Changes?”

“Perfect,” said Cindy. Jack, sitting next to her, nodded.

“I’m not sure the library paragraph really works, though,” Jamie said. “Seems a little tacked on.”

“Oh, it’s okay.” Terry handed his copy to Ernie, who had come to the Renegade’s meeting, as had Clark. “Don’t fuss, Jamie. Besides, it’s not long enough to be a separate story.”

“Yeah, but how about expanding it to a sidebar?”

Tessa reread the article. “It could be one, but I don’t think it’s necessary. After all, it really is part of the same story.”

“Maybe it needs a stronger transition,” Jamie said, frowning. “You know, leading into it.”

Nomi put her arm around her. Winking at Clark, she said, “Leave it, Jamie. I agree it’s perfect the way it is.” She looked at her watch. “Are we all going to Georgeport or not? Because we’ve only got an hour and a half till the movie starts, and since there are eight of us going on this celebration and we want to sit together …”

Jamie wriggled partway around under Nomi’s arm. “You agree, Nom’?” she asked with mock surprise.

But Nomi just smiled. “Yes, Jamie. I agree.”

The next afternoon Jamie sat on her favorite rock on Sloan’s Beach, the yellow notebook from her private box on her knee. But it wasn’t a private box anymore; she’d decided to keep it on her desk now, out in the open.

I wish I could think it’s over, the whole fuss about sex education and the newspaper. But I guess it isn’t. Even though Mrs. Buel and that other FTV person are no longer on the school committee, and even though the library books have been replaced, FTV’s still going to push for their ideas, and people like Brandon are still going to be rotten to people like Ernie and Terry and me, and people like Ernie’s parents are still going to be so homophobic they make it impossible for their own kids to be honest with them about who they really are. At least Ernie’s able to be himself at the Gages’, but I know it hurts him terribly not to be able to tell his own family who he really is. I think Terry and I are very lucky, and I know both of us worry sometimes about Ernie, even though I think he’ll probably be okay. He really has gotten a lot stronger this year—but I hope someday he’ll finally be able to come out to his parents.

Have I? Gotten stronger, I mean? I guess so. I know more about who I am, I think. Now I’ve got to stop falling in love with people who can’t love me back—well, who can’t love me back in the same way. I’m glad Tessa still wants to be my friend. I think I’ll always be a little sad that she can’t be more than that, but knowing Terry and Ernie has made me believe I really will find someone someday.

Yeah. I’m pretty sure I will.

I used to think that all you had to do to right a wrong was write about it clearly, telling people what the problem was and what the facts were, and then people would see the truth of what you were saying and would fix the problem. I know the Renegade had a lot of influence on what happened this year—at least I think it did—but I also know it didn’t solve the problem. Maybe nothing can. Maybe truth is a lot more elusive than I thought. FTV believes it’s arguing for the truth, and I believe I am, and we each believe our facts are right. I’m not sure how to reconcile that. Maybe it can’t be reconciled. Of course that’s why it’s vital for newspapers to give both sides.

But isn’t it also important for a newspaper—or a person—to take a firm, honest stand about their beliefs?

I’m pretty sure of one thing: that people, no matter what they believe or what their differences are, have to be able to live together without hurting each other. Maybe that’s the one true truth, the one I most want to work toward for the rest of my life …

Jamie snapped her head around, startled. Tessa had come up quietly behind her, smiling, and was standing there in her red cape, her camera bag slung over her shoulder.

“Come on, friend,” she said. “We’ve got a spring photo essay to start putting together.”