Southington Parents Decry Book Choice At SHS

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A pre-World War II American novel about the struggles of an impoverished Black man's complicated life journey to crime has angered some in Southington.

The Southington Board of Education's Oct. 12 meeting didn't, specifically, aim to discuss the Southington High School 10th-grade reading of "Native Son" by Richard Wright, but speakers during the audience, as well as multiple letter writers to the board, protested the book.

Though written in 1940 and set in 1930s Chicago, the book's content is relevant in today's politically and racially divided times.

While those opposed to the book being read offered multiple reasons for opposition, most centered on one section that contained sexually explicit content.

It was that issue, not necessarily the racial overtones of the book, that had many parents fretting about "Native Son," some urging school board review of whether it should be allowed.

Board members, as they do, did not comment on the matter on Oct. 12 and will take the input into consideration for possible inclusion on a future agenda.

Southington resident Susan Zabohonski read aloud one of the book's more sexually explicit excerpts prior to giving her testimony.

She said parents have urged the school board to review the use of the book in the classrooms and reviewing controversial books is allowed as part of board policy.

Zabohonski also pointed to the book's other "controversial" theme, racism.

"This book is political in nature and there's no doubt about it. (It is) about racism and how it affects people," she said. "And it's saying that there is a systemic issue with racism.

"That is a political view and there is also the view that there are also family issues that can cause criminal behavior and it doesn't always equate to systemic racism."

Zabohonski said 15-year-old 10th-graders are too young for such a book and it should be reserved for older students if it is to be read in high school at all.

Leslie Parmentier, a Southington resident and retired special education teacher, submitted a statement to the board that was read aloud by Zabohonski.

According to Parmentier, parents should be the ones to decide whether a book like this is taught in schools.

"Only parents know best the maturity levels of their own children," Parmentier said in her statement, as read by Zabohonski.

"Parents should be the ones to decide went to introduce sex education that aligns with their own religious beliefs and family values."

As for this book or others with similar themes, Parmentier said it is simply too explicit for teens to study in school.

"Classroom lessons that have materials that make students feel confused, uncomfortable or embarrassed are just plain wrong," she said in the statement that was read.

Others sent in letters of protest to school officials.

Michael Kryzanski, a parent of a ninth-grader, said if parents want their youngster to read books like "Native Son," they can get them the book themselves.

"If parents want their children to read that book, they can easily do that outside of school. The book is available on Amazon.com," he wrote.

"And, no this is not book banning. There are plenty of other reading materials that are not allowed in a school (like pornographic books and magazines) and that is not considered book banning."

Said Jim and Shelly Nadwairski in their letter to the school board: "Our children should be protected in their innocence as long as they can. Don't rush the inhumanity of adulthood."

One parent did speak in support of using the book in a classroom.

Parent Effie Moutogiannis said she remembered reading the book in high school and she did not have any issues with it being given to her daughter to read.

While admitting the topics raised in the book are "challenging," Moutogiannis said her daughter's teacher did warn parents about the reading of "Native Son."

This is the second time in as many years a Southington High School lesson has come under fire amid political and racial overtones.

A year ago, an SHS English teacher came under fire, but was eventually cleared, for using a glossary of modern, pro-diversity terms in writing lessons.

Critics in the community claimed the glossary wasn't a writing aid, but a means to "indoctrinate" pupils to the teachers' own political views.

The school administration and board cleared the teacher, but incorporated more standardized procedures on how future controversial topics will be addressed in the classroom.

For the minutes of the Oct. 12 Southington Board of Education meeting, click on this link.

For more information on "Native Son," click on this link.

From Sept. 23, 2022: 'Southington Teacher Behind Diversity Worksheet Cleared'