Story Archive

Big Bother

When a parent complained about a book, Jefferson School District administrators in Rigby, Idaho, considered banning it from Rigby High School. Superintendent Lisa Sherick “questioned” whether “one passage” was in alignment “with community goals, ideals and institutions.” So, what book? George Orwell’s novel 1984, about a dystopian society where “truth” is manipulated by extreme censorship and revisionism, all overseen by a “Big Brother” who is watching everyone’s every move. The book is used in two Rigby High government classes — for seniors — but with the challenge, it was taken away from students, who had already started to read it. The timing was especially appropriate: the news leaked during Banned Book Week. Hundreds of people signed a petition denouncing the potential ban, and Sherick quickly backed off. Staff was “advised” to return the books to students, and continue the classwork. (RC/Moscow-Pullman Daily News, KIFI Idaho Falls) ...But copies of Fahrenheit 451 were not returned, since they had already been burned.