Yesterday I saw this story on Smart Bitches and got all fired up. I haven’t been that furious in a long time. The short version is, a mother exposed a 10th grade teacher’s second job of writing erotica under a pen name. She believes the teacher is somehow unfit to teach, and says some pretty inflammatory (and utterly ridiculous) things.
Note that the teacher consciously kept her life as an erotic writer separate and out of the classroom. I respect her for that as she showed true sensitivity to the welfare of her students and concerns of parents. And I support her right to write whatever fiction she likes outside the classroom.
The article written about erotic author, Judy Mays, was in my opinion a witch hunt. A form of slander with no attempt to do “deep background” on the source(es) that said really offensive things about this woman.
I’m getting pissed all over again. Seriously. I raised three boys, and I can’t remember ever being concerned about a teacher’s life outside the class room. I can remember being concerned about laziness or teaching methods I did not agree with BUT I also believe that even less than stellar teachers taught my kids some realistic life lessons about dealing with the real world. They are stronger men now for learning to deal with imperfections then.
I can completely respect that a parent’s right to “protect” their child, but I cannot respect ripping apart a teacher’s life when she has done nothing wrong.
Okay I’ll end my rant now. Is there a rant you want to get off your chest?
April 28th, 2011 at 6:21 am · Link
I saw that yesterday too and was just shocked at some of the things that were said. I mean what difference does it make what she does on the side if she’s not teaching the students to write erotica. I saw somewhere that someone mentioned her being a pedophile because of this. Just crazy. I can’t believe we still live in a time and place where people judge things like this. I thought the mom’s statement about now my son sits in class and wonders about her writing it, really? Well who told the kid that she did this? Did he discover it on his own or did the mom tell him? HELLO?
April 28th, 2011 at 7:35 am · Link
I completely missed that. The idea of the thing just goes to show how utterly ignorant some people can be. By the same idea, Stephen King is a psycho, Tess Gerritsen is a serial killer, and Dr. Seuss had a rhyming problem. Feh. The poor woman was writing FICTION, people. Hell, why not just ostracize anyone who isn’t writing about fluffy bunnies? Better yet, lock us up. If you look at the things we write, we’re all a little demented, right?
My rant of the day: Roving gangs of teenagers carrying rocks on strings, which they’re then using as weapons. WTF is up with that. I saw one bunch going after a bunny the other day. The bunny escaped, but how many other small critters haven’t? All I can say is they better not mess with Max or I’ll show them what kind of fun Psycho-Mom can have with a rock on a string. :steam:
April 28th, 2011 at 10:17 am · Link
Amanda, exactly. You said it all. I am trying to not get as upset about it today. I have been frustrated with teachers before, but I have NEVER sunk to this level of trying to personally destroy them. I really think that is what’s at the core of this.
And I am so tired of the fear of sexuality. I can understand not wanting to read it.That is a matter of taste and perfectly fine. But this…I should stop now
April 28th, 2011 at 10:19 am · Link
B.E. I agree with all you said on the teacher and WHAT THE HELL? on the teens with rock weapons? I hadn’t heard that. I can’t even imagine…yeah, I’d rant too!
They better leave Max alone!
April 28th, 2011 at 11:52 am · Link
But, but…Don’t you people know that all romance is just porn?!?!
Please note this is said in a voice heavy with sarcasm. I found it interesting that WNEP couldn’t stand the heat and deleted Facebook comments and blocked authors on Twitter.
I have many rants today but they just leave me headachy and grouchy. Instead, I’ll look forward to TGIF and appletinis tomorrow! In the meantime, I’ll prayer for the people affected by the tornadoes yesterday. People have no idea what it’s like until they’ve been through one that big. Whole neighborhoods wiped out and no way to even know what street you’re on. They’ve got weeks of cleanup and years of healing to do.
April 28th, 2011 at 1:40 pm · Link
Wow that woman is seriously pathetic. It really annoys me that people like her are not more open minded,clearly she has no life and enjoys destroying other peoples instead because she is jealous. The teacher was keeping both careers separate so what the hell is that womans problem, is it harming the kids in any way NO? well then get a life!!! God people like her really get to me. Anyway…. daily bitch over
lets get to the happy throughts its one day till Appletinis and party day witches and i for one will be having a few extra Appletinis this weekend due to the Royal wedding.
April 28th, 2011 at 2:05 pm · Link
Rant
against the whole far right that is totally against paranormal writting in any form. Yes they need to leave that teacher alone. Look at the mote in your own eye before trying to take it out of another. Yes it is a quote and I do know my bible qoutes as well as I know my fiction reading. I can not stand judgemental people in any form. I once read that highly critical people are that way because they are the most insecure. I bet that mother suppresses her own sexuality so much she is threatened by the thought of some one elses. Unfortunatly she wants to do so to everyone else. You don’t agree with it you don’t by the book or turn off the tv or change the station on the radio. That is what freedom of speech and choice is about. Your own choices not that you get to make the choices for everyone else. But we have to protect the children…… That is a cop out for not doing your own parenting.
I will now step down from my soap box.
April 28th, 2011 at 8:06 pm · Link
Silver, I have never experienced a tornado, and as you said, truly have no idea. But looking at the pictures just breaks my heart. It’s horribly tragic, and my prayers go out to all the people affected.
And in case you happen to know what state Debra Webb lives in, she is okay. She’s checked in with the Murder She Writes girls.
April 28th, 2011 at 8:07 pm · Link
Zoe, i understand where you’re coming from. I was soooo angry yesterday.
April 28th, 2011 at 8:07 pm · Link
Kat, you did great on your soapbox
Some people really are pathetic.