‘The Color Purple’ (Press, 31 March 1989)

In response to Dr Lockwood Smith's objections to the inclusion of Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" as a school text, letters published on 31 March 1989 express strong opinions on the broader issue of book banning in schools. A.J.R. Harre criticises Dr Smith for appearing to promote this dated trend, suggesting that he could easily find reasons to ban numerous revered New Zealand authors due to potentially controversial themes in their works. Harre references Keri Hulme's "The Bone People," Maurice Gee’s "Plumb" trilogy, and the writings of Sam Hunt, highlighting issues like child abuse, homosexual characters, and substance use. He argues that Dr Smith's approach seems to exhibit a "head-in-the-sand" mentality and encourages fostering a love for reading instead of censorship. In a separate letter, Susan Taylor addresses the importance of "The Color Purple," emphasizing that the experiences described in the book resonate with many school children who have faced abuse. She asserts that reading about protagonist Celie's struggles provides validation and hope to those who may feel despair. Taylor supports the depiction of the supportive relationship between women in the novel, stressing its role in Celie's journey towards self-empowerment. She contends that the book is not pornography but rather a profound exploration of emotional struggles and triumphs, aimed at fostering understanding and compassion. Both letters reflect a strong sentiment against censorship in literature, advocating for the reading of challenging works that can help students confront and process complex realities.

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