[Groop] Lurker to list. Wondering about Marvel/Epic issues

[Groosagi16 at cs.com]

In a message dated 10/16/2003 11:28:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
grundor99 at yahoo.com writes:


> I would agree also. 
> 
> Tony 
> 
> --- Groosagi16 at cs.com wrote:
> > In a message dated 10/15/2003 8:31:41 PM Eastern
> > Daylight Time, 
> > heathfodor3 at msn.com writes:
> > 
> > 
> > > Should I call the library and tell them of their
> > error??
> > 
> > YES
> > > 
> 
> 

----------------------->After further consideration I amend my previous 
response.  I still believe that you should address the issue with the library, but 
add the following further consideration:  BE VERY DELICATE IN THE WAY YOU DO 
IT.

Here's my thinking:  We as comic book lovers are in a minority.  Not only are 
we in a minority, but we are in a minority which is fair game for ridicule 
and looking down at.  Now, what does that mean in the way things could play out? 
 The sort is it puts us, or rather, our material at risk.  Most people, and 
especially most librarians, will tell you that comic books are kids stuff.  It 
is inconceivable to them that comic books are read or intended for adults.  
That is how the book ended up in the teens section, despite the warning on the 
cover.

If the matter is brought to their attention in a "risky" fashion, a la 
"corrupted youth" or "indignant parent" it seems to me, what with the fascist pc 
thread running through all our communication nowadays, that it would be easier 
and more likely that the library simply strike the book to placate the 
righteous.  Remember we are part of an unprotected class.  No one will listen or care 
if some comic geek cries that his comic books have been taken off the shelves.  
Can you just picture the swarms of people who flock around that indignant 
parent named above?

A similar situation arose recently here in Cleveland.  Some racy Spanish 
language historietas found their way on the kids shelf.  (Mind you these are 
substantialy more "adult" than Sandman.)  They of course were placed on the rack by 
an elderly volunteer worker.  The magazines had been donated, and moved from 
a West side branch to the Main branch, and in the process resulted where they 
did.  A kid (non-spanish speaking) picked up the magazines and the parent got 
indidnified.  She called the local news station.  They did a story on it.  
Thank God the items were Spanish and popular in the Spanish speaking community.  
If there hadn't been a contravailing protected class interest I am positive 
this would have ended in the magazines being stricken.  As it is they were 
properly re-filed.  As for the news report, you could see them reporter wanting to 
lash at the comic books and their filth.  The first portion was colrful and 
passionate in its description of how bad it was for kids to get their hands on 
these magazines.  The reporter strained to denigrate whatever literary worth 
the magazines might have covertly.  Then with at least 60% of the report 
completed, presented a brief snippet of a representative of the Hispanic community 
stating that the books are intended for hispanic adults and popular amongst that 
group.  The remaining 35% of the report was devoted to presenting the 
volunteer worker and how great she was for doing the volunteer work and how none of 
it was her fault.  I respect her for the volunteer work, but truly the whole 
issue was her exclusive fault.  It was plain from their face that these were not 
kids books.  HAd she taken a second to consider her actions rather than 
simply mindlessly do what felt natural, the whole thing would never have happened.  
As far as report at least a simple mention of something like "you can't jusge 
a book by its cover" would have been nice.  And fair.  Bottom line, by 
careful in your approach.

As for my advice in the delicacy I advocate I offer that first you compliment 
them for carrying the book.  Acknowledge their scope in including this type 
of high literarure on their shelves.  (careful not to make them laugh during 
this phase.)  Thank them for satisfying a reading need you did not expect to be 
filled by a library.  Let them know that comic books carry a wide variety of 
sophistication and in carrying this type of material they gain access to a 
wider member base and further serve the important goal of bringing diverse and 
vital art to the citizenry at large.  Don't call them idiots even if they are.  
To bring their ignorance to their eyes roughly.  Rather, do it kindly, and in 
an educational tone.

That's my 14 bits.  Bet you were happier with my more laconic previous 1/2 
bit.

Later,
A
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