Why was Maya Angelou's I know why the black bird sings challenged or banned?

Question

when and where was it first banned or challenged.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Listed below are the principal challenges to Maya Angelou's "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings," the reasons for the challenges, and links to the two most active organizations challenging the book.

Before turning to this information, I should note that Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" took the literary world by storm when it was published in 1969. As it reached the top of best-seller lists, it made Angelou one of the most recognized black women in America. Despite controversy over its frank depiction of sexual abuse, the autobiography is still widely read in high schools and colleges across the country. Three decades after it was published, readers continue to admire Angelou's artistry, wit, and indomitable spirit.

Now, I shall turn to the information about which you inquired.

In 2001, the book was challenged by a parents group for appearing on the Poolesville, Maryland, high school reading list. The reasons were sexual content and language.

In 2002, a number of school districts banned the book for language and being too explicit in the book's portrayal of rape and other sexual abuse.

In 2003, it was challenged as required reading in a Hamilton, Montana, high school freshman English class due to "sexual exploration by teenagers," rape and homosexuality. It was also challenged in Fairfax, Virginia school libraries by a group called Parents Against Bad Books in Schools for "profanity and descriptions of drug abuse, sexually explicit conduct and torture". A link to Parents Against Bad Books in Schools is listed below.

In 2005, it was challenged in number of schol districts (fewer than in 2002) for racism, homosexuality, sexual content, offensive language and "unsuited to age group."

In 2006, it was removed as required reading from the Annapolis, Maryland, high school freshman English curriculum because of the rape scene and other mature content.

In 2007, it was retained after a challenge in the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin high school sophomore advanced English class. Parents had objected to teens reading Angelou's account of being brutally raped by her mother's boyfriend and having an unwanted pregnancy later in life. The outcome was that parents will receive notification and be allowed to decide whether or not they approve of its use by their children.

In 2008, it was challenged in the Manheim Township, Pennsylvania, schools. The book was retained in the 9th grade English curriculum, but it was taught later in the year after a public forum was held with parents to discuss the book and the entire literary canon of the English Department. The book was also challenged in the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, School District. Some parents said that the book, along with 5 others, should require parental permission for students to read them.

In 2007-2008, it was 8th on the list of the 10 most challenged books in schools and libraries. To put that into perspective, the 5th and 6th most challenged books in schools and libraries were "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain and "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker.

For additional information about challenges to this book, please see:
http://classkc.org/review.php?book=I_kno…
http://www.pabbis.com/

Source(s):

http://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbo…
http://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbo…
http://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbo…
http://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbo…

Answer 2

Maya Angelou's "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" was challenged due to the controversial content including lesbianism, premarital cohabitation, pornography, and violence.