Fair warning: I love musical theatre. And more often than
not, when I want to make a point, I quote a musical. This would be a good time to click “home” or something.
Maybe check out Pottermore.
Still with me? I knew there were some other musical buffs out
there.
Let me set the scene for the musical 1776. It’s summer in Philadelphia. Sweltering temperatures are
adding to the acrimony as the Continental Congress meets to discuss the affairs
of the thirteen Colonies. A controversial
resolution to declare independency from England is brought before the Congress.
This should automatically trigger a debate on the issue. But Colonies who
disagree with the idea of independence make a motion to table the question of autonomy
indefinitely. A vote on the motion
is split down the middle, the deciding ballot going to Stephen Hopkins of Rhode
Island. Hopkins states, “In all my
years, I’ve never seen, heard, nor smelled an issue that was so dangerous, it
couldn’t be talked about.” Hopkins
votes in favor of debate.
I have no idea if the real Stephen Hopkins said this. Still,
this musical—that line—pops into my head every time an online firestorm erupts
following an assault on young adult literature. This tends to happen every 4-6
months by my calculations. And, in my mind, every argument condemning some
aspect of YA can be boiled down to this philosophy: discussion of a
controversial topic is the same as advocating it.
As John Adams says repeatedly with disgust during 1776: “Incredible.”
The best YA promotes discussion. Whether it’s chatting over
coffee about which werewolf from which book is sexier or some sort of deep
discourse about hard-hitting issues that reflect the realities of many readers,
YA succeeds when discussion follows. As an advocate of free speech, I’m fine
with people who want to question the content of YA. I wish they used things
like, you know, evidence and, heaven forbid, logic to do so. And I wish they’d understand that the
act and art of intelligent discussion—something that stimulates the mind—isn’t
tantamount to brainwashing. But the fact that they get their knickers in a twist is simply
demonstrating that contemporary YA is doing exactly
what it should be: fomenting dialogue.
Thanks to all defenders of YA. And thanks, in a more
peculiar way, to those who would take it to task. Rest assured: we’re all doing
what we’re supposed to be doing.
Stephen Hopkins would be proud.
Brian Farrey is the acquiring editor at Flux books. His debut novel, With or Without You, was published by Simon Pulse in May. It’s very probably
filled with things that people will discuss, for better or worse.
6 comments:
The best YA promotes discussion.
Love that. Thoroughly quotable.
Brian is great!
Thanks for a great post and let the discussion (and the show tunes) roll on!
What a great post. And what a great quote . . .
I sometimes wonder if all the controversy is as much about snobbery as "values" or "issues." It often seems to come down to denigrating YA literature instead of discussing genuine issues.
I love musicals too!! I'm going to see a Japanese High School perform High School Musical on Saturday :)
Banned complain !! Complaining only causes life and mind become more severe. Enjoy the rhythm of the problems faced. No matter ga life, not a problem not learn, so enjoy it :)
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