A Pilgrim’s Digression

I read today in a BBC story yet another account of how the “Harry Potter” books are still being challenged and banned in schools and libraries around the world: Australian college bans Potter. It absolutely amazes me that anyone bothers. You’d think they would learn. Rowling inserts a kind of commentary on book banning in “Phoenix” when she has the new Headmistress of Hogwarts ban a tabloid-like newspaper, The Quibbler, from the school. When she hears of it, Hermione just laughs and says she has done the one thing that would ensure copies of the newspaper were read by every student in Hogwarts.

The one statement from the BBC article I find kind of scary is the statement by the Principal of the school that:

“It has been widely publicized that many children have tried to cast spells as a result of reading the books, and that is not a view we want held … As a mature reader I can see the difference between fantasy and reality but some children cannot and this is where it becomes dangerous.”

I’m certain there are kids out there trying to cast spells, but even assuming they are seriously trying to practice witchcraft, doesn’t this dolt think they will give it up after it doesn’t work the first few times they attempt it? I think what is far more insidious about this statement by the Principal is the utter denial of the importance of imagination and play in childhood. Children fantasize; they play-act and pretend they are wizards, witches, Jedi Knights, Cowboys, Indians, race car drivers, or whatever else interests them and ignites their imagination. Occasionally, there are stories of children whose fantasy lives dangerously mingle with reality–Columbine might be an example–but it is utterly ridiculous to suggest that fantasy in itself is dangerous because children can’t tell the difference between fantasy and reality. God knows, there are plenty of adults out there living in a dream world. This “protect the children” crap is just an excuse for zealots to get some attention for themselves and their tight, insular world view.