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A Brave New World controversy

November 17, 2010 @ 2:33 am (Updated: 3:46 pm - 3/28/11 )

Something 10th graders at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle did was so upsetting to a student and her mom that it's resulted in a curriculum change at the school, and apologies from the principal.

What were they doing? Reading. Reading Aldous Huxley's Brave New World as part of their language arts curriculum.

BraveNewWorldWhile the book is the center of a new controversy in Seattle, the debate about the fictional story has gone on for decades. The American Library Association ranks Brave New World as number 36 on the list of the top 100 books people have either banned or tried to ban.

Set in the year 2540, the book depicts a world in which everyone's life is predetermined. Boys and girls are conditioned at birth to fulfill already designated societal roles. As a result, everyone grows up happy. Or, almost everyone. The conflict in the novel arises when a few people try to fight the system that's running and ruining their lives.

Sarah Sense-Wilson's daughter was required to read the novel for a class at Nathan Hale. She is Native American, and her heart started to sink as she turned the pages to find more than 30 references to "savage natives."

"She was very upset and she said, 'Mom I need to tell you something, but I don't want you to get mad. There's a book I have to read in my class and it portrays Indian people as being savages and living on reservations,'" Sense-Wilson says.

She tried to read the book for herself.

"I was outraged when I read through the book. I had to keep putting it down because it was so hurtful," says Sense-Wilson. "It was traumatizing to read how Indian people were being depicted."

The text has a "high volume of racially offensive derogatory language and misinformation on Native Americans. In addition to the inaccurate imagery, and stereotype views, the text lacks literary value which is relevant to today's contemporary multicultural society," she wrote in a complaint earlier this year to Nathan Hale and district administrators.

How important is Brave New World for the 10th grade language arts curriculum at Nathan Hale?

The chair of the language arts department, Shannon Conner, defended the merits of the book calling it a "superb warning book about our future. Huxley cautions his future readers from becoming too reliant on, and compliant with, technology." But at the same time, the high school apologized and determined that the "cultural insensitivity embedded in this book makes it an inappropriate choice as a central text in our 10th grade curriculum."

They are no longer using the book. Sense-Wilson says she's "proud of" the way Nathan Hale has responded.

"They've really listened, they have invited us to be part of the school, they now have a a native club and they're extending themselves to really try to repair that damage," she says.

Why is this book still an issue? Sense-Wilson wants other high schools in Seattle to stop using it in their curriculum too. The Seattle School board is meeting this afternoon to discuss the use of the book Brave New World.

Sense-Wilson wants to make her position clear. She is not trying to ban the book.

"We are not about book burning and we're not radicals," she says. "We're not trying to in any way censor that book, we're just saying it does not belong in high school. It is not appropriate for the curriculum."

If the book is an important or interesting novel for teenagers, she suggests putting it in the library.

"Then if students want to go to the library and check that book out and read it for their own entertainment, that's fine," says Sense-Wilson. "Most of the kids I've talked to don't even like the book so I doubt it would even get an audience in the library."

Incidentally, any resident in the Seattle school district, or any parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the district, may challenge instructional materials schools use. The district has a 10-step process to determine if the complaint about a book or material is justified.

Update: Brave New World approved in Seattle high schools

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (68)


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  • messiah101 wrote...
    AJ
    November 17, 2010 8:12 pm
    If it means anything at all (and I doubt if it does)never in a thousand years would I ever call you a LIBERAL,honest. When I bring up an image of a non thinking conservative in my mind its 100% you AJ
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  • bearer of badnews wrote...
    Get over it, it was Africans first then Native Americans
    November 17, 2010 8:16 pm
    First off, I am happy to say I'm ready to comment after that ridiculous registration process. If they had asked for my blood type, I would've just quit then and there. Now, I must comment on the "savage natives" part first. This comment struck me as a little prejudiced and emotionally attached. May I bring your attention to, I don't know, about half of the books first written in the English language? Like Robinson Crusoe, King Solomon's Mines, and so many others that make references to "savage natives"? We all were made to understand they are speaking about Africans and their stereotypes of being native as well. In accounts of the early Americas, even then Native Americans were referenced as savages! This is because of how they were seen in the 1700s. Most Europeans coming overseas thought of the Native Americans as savages because they were so in touch with their natural and tribal instincts. To be blunt and obviously racist to the mother (if you don't catch my sarcasm, bite me), the English were more "civilized" to the native Americans and native Africans. This was simply the how we criticized our culture and satired it in texts. These were racial discourses. I don't make the past, I only reference it. None of it was to offence any one in the class personally, so get over yourself. Now, the mother then goes on to say the book has a "high volume of racially offensive derogatory language and misinformation on Native Americans. In addition to the inaccurate imagery, and stereotype views, the text lacks literary value which is relevant to today's contemporary multicultural society". Ok, of course it isn't relevant to today's society, most Native Americans practice old ritials without the glorifying and exploitive eyes of an American any more. So many were slaughtered so this assimilated "Native American" could have rights, and the privacy to practice what our ancestors thought of has pointless and unjust. If this woman was a reader she would know of a man named Sherman Alexie who I am sure would love to have an opinion on this topic. This woman clearly doesn't understand the differences in time, which happens to be when the book was written and when it is read, today. Much of the opinions during 1932 were very racially fueled. They probably are not like those of open minded Americans today and should be taken in a critical sense without emotions attached. Yes, it is hurtful to see this, although none of it was influenced by her personally. Get over yourself. If you want to stand up for your rights, talk to your child about how the person who wrote that book was probably witness to that type of harassment done to Native Americans IN THE PAST. Reference how scared the white people were of the mysterious and wild and how they manipulated them into giving them foods and places to colonize, like captured animals. Criticize what fuels this country, don't ban the texts that teach us lies we must make truth because we have no pride as a country. The chair of the department obviously hasn't taught at a grade school level in a long time and doesn't know how to make this brainless wench understand anything true and honest. The mother then goes on to say she isn't trying to ban the book? She ostracizes it to the library where we all know most teenage kids don't even go and then says her best comment yet, "Most of the kids I've talked to don't even like the book so I doubt it would even get an audience in the library". Give me a break! Most teenage kids are so self absorbed they would rather watch Jersey Shore and mutilate their brain cells that way. They all would rather cut off their own toes then read some book for class. So this wasn't helpful to the case either. Her mother probably asked her kid's bonehead friends, who were all below a 50 IQ. I cannot believe this! I thought that I would have a little more faith in my country today but this woman is so one-sided and fake. She thinks she is trying to gain respect by getting some club? Think again. I hope when this woman has grandchildren they tease her for being so closeminded as an adult.
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  • David P wrote...
    Try truly reading the book
    November 17, 2010 9:49 pm
    This lady is jumping to a bunch of assumptions. First let's truly understand that this book is completely a made up and was the "Science Fiction" of the day. First off who says that the "Savage Natives" are the North American indigenous Native, who aren't really but that's for the anthropologist to discus. Folk really need to get a grip and look to what the story is really about and the concepts being portrayed. The words are simply a vehicle and Mr. Huxley used the words as best able in the time and era he was in to express a point of view and a possible future no more no less.
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  • mmml wrote...
    The book should not be banned
    November 17, 2010 11:16 pm
    A book should not be banned simply because it may offend a certain race or group of people. Most of the books we read are non-fiction, meaning that they are not real. Thus the characters and cultures presented in them are not accurately presented. Although Huxley's "Brave New World" may "upset" certain people, it by no means should be censored from our libraries, our schools, our communities. Yes, the natives in "Brave New World" are called "savages". However, Huxley uses the word "savages" only to juxtapose the lives of our ancestors with the lives of those in the "new" world. Huxley is merely trying to emphasize the difference between the two worlds, and as seen through the eyes of the supposedly civilized people of Brave New World, their ancestors, the Natives, resemble "savages". This does not imply that Natives are in fact "savages", for the reader actually begins to realize that the "savages" had more morals and a better sense of the goals of life than the citizens of Brave New World. These "savages" actually hold a respect for each other, love each other, and live for a purpose--to find their spiritual soul. On the other hand, the people of Brave New World share none of these beliefs and are instead, much more shallow and material driven. Huxley wants to warn us that we are approaching the Brave New World of living; we are beginning to lose our humanity. Thus, although Huxley may seem to be criticizing the Native's way of life, he is in fact criticizing that of our future generations. Moreover, Huxley only used Natives as an example because they represent the ancestors of Huxley's time. If the book was rewritten today, the "savages" could very well be the Americans who lived during Huxley's time, the early 1900's. If one truly understands the message that Huxley is trying to present, there should be no question about whether the book should be banned or not, for Huxley is actually, through irony, complimenting on the ways of the Natives. Nonetheless, if in the end, there is still a large controversy over "Brave New World", instead of banning the book, one should, as Sense-Wilson suggests, remove it from the school curriculum but still have it available in the library. That way, students are able to read the book if they choose and those who feel offended by it will not have to feel "upset" either.
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  • mmml wrote...
    To ban or not to ban
    November 17, 2010 11:18 pm
    A book should not be banned simply because it may offend a certain race or group of people. Most of the books we read are non-fiction, meaning that they are not real. Thus the characters and cultures presented in them are not accurately presented. Although Huxley's "Brave New World" may "upset" certain people, it by no means should be censored from our libraries, our schools, our communities. Yes, the natives in "Brave New World" are called "savages". However, Huxley uses the word "savages" only to juxtapose the lives of our ancestors with the lives of those in the "new" world. Huxley is merely trying to emphasize the difference between the two worlds, and as seen through the eyes of the supposedly civilized people of Brave New World, their ancestors, the Natives, resemble "savages". This does not imply that Natives are in fact "savages", for the reader actually begins to realize that the "savages" had more morals and a better sense of the goals of life than the citizens of Brave New World. These "savages" actually hold a respect for each other, love each other, and live for a purpose--to find their spiritual soul. On the other hand, the people of Brave New World share none of these beliefs and are instead, much more shallow and material driven. Huxley wants to warn us that we are approaching the Brave New World of living; we are beginning to lose our humanity. Thus, although Huxley may seem to be criticizing the Native's way of life, he is in fact criticizing that of our future generations. Moreover, Huxley only used Natives as an example because they represent the ancestors of Huxley's time. If the book was rewritten today, the "savages" could very well be the Americans who lived during Huxley's time, the early 1900's. If one truly understands the message that Huxley is trying to present, there should be no question about whether the book should be banned or not, for Huxley is actually, through irony, complimenting on the ways of the Natives. Nonetheless, if in the end, there is still a large controversy over "Brave New World", instead of banning the book, one should, as Sense-Wilson suggests, remove it from the school curriculum but still have it available in the library. That way, students are able to read the book if they choose and those who feel offended by it will not have to feel "upset" either.
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  • dunkski206 wrote...
    native americans
    November 18, 2010 7:56 am
    are often liberals, seeking public services. but this is not to say our society/govt wants them to be liberals, they just don't want them being the job-creating, integral part of society that moves us forward, our govt would never want to extend that credit to them. The fact that we put them on reservations is proof enough. The areas in which feed students to Nathan Hale are either Jewish wedgewood, or other North End locals from view ridge, another jewish neighborhood all the way up to Lake city area. Juss' saying, one could easily make the argument that she is liberal and sensitive to issues like this.
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  • Spiff78 wrote...
    Ignorant
    November 18, 2010 8:32 am
    I'm amazed by the ignorance of some people. Some of the most important works of literature are ones that deal with upsetting or uncomfortable topics. The book Native Son by Richard Right made me very uncomfortable but it also challenged me to rethink things that are socially acceptable and why they aren't challenged. The book wasn't encouraging racism, however, it did hold up a mirror to society and reflected many things that weren't pleasant to see. When I read this book in highschool, my english teacher assigned us each a caste and we'd have to act accordingly while at school. I'm surprised he was never challenged for it because at times it seemed a little extreme but it really drove home the importance of the novel and added to the learning experience. I am also a "savage native" with many family members living on reservations and never thought twice about being offended by the language in the book. I don't know... perhaps this mother would prefer a society more similar to that of Fahrenheit 451. This whole situation just frustrates me!
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  • Petben wrote...
    Really people?
    November 18, 2010 8:51 am
    Talk about missing the whole point of the book. BNW has NOTHING to do with American Indians. The "savages" are not defined by a racial stereotype, rather they are HUMANS who choose to live free from the dictated terms society has forced on the modern being. Not cloned, they actually procreate. Not brainwashed, they actually think for themselves. The book is a warning AGAINST group think, against Govt dictating everything in our life. Seriously, what the heck is wrong with you people?
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  • AJ McCarrell wrote...
    messiah
    November 18, 2010 9:07 am
    That's okay, I would have to serious reconsider my entire life if you thought I was a "thinking" (translate: feeling with no intellectual reasoning, obsessed with a unattainable view of fairness with no consideration of human nature) person.
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  • meels86 wrote...
    Whole point of education
    November 18, 2010 9:42 am
    obviously the book is old. obviously there are racist things written and explored through-out the book. it is for these reasons that this book is read and studied. the book paints very clear lines between the different castes and the association between each. discussing these caste lines, how they make you feel. why they make you feel that way. how do you blur those lines in a society so that they don't form. the girl felt alienated because of what the book spoke of but that is exactly the premise of the story. the story is about alienation, how it affects others, how some cope with it, how some aren't able to cope with it. the book is suppose to create discomfort which can drive opinions and points of view. discussing these ideas is ment to open the students mind and get them thinking about society as a whole and the direction that it is going in. discussing the direction of society and where the students would like to see it go is the reason for studying of this book. the book shouldn't be removed from the curriculum but the curriculum should be changed. it should be enhanced to discourage the alienation of different people, to work through differences, and to be conscious of societal changes.
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