Duke freshman refuses summer reading book due to graphic imagery

Duke University freshmen aren’t reading this year’s summer reading book, “Fun Home,” and it’s not because it’s optional.

Opposition to Alison Bechdel’s New York Times best-selling graphic novel started after Duke freshman Brian Grasso posted on the school’s class of 2019 Facebook page: “I feel as if I would have to compromise my personal Christian moral beliefs to read it.”

It was the graphic illustration of two women engaging in oral sex and the depiction of a woman masturbating that offended Grasso more than the acts themselves.

Eventually, his protest became a trending topic on Facebook and a national debate.

Grasso said he believed the selection process for the summer reading book discriminated against religious people.

“They talk a lot about challenging ideas and challenging beliefs at orientation, but really the only people who are challenged here are religious people,” he said.

Frank Baumgartner, a UNC political science professor and the chairman of UNC’s summer reading selection board, disagrees with Grasso.

“There’s a list of all the previous books that have been used, and a lot of them are not like ‘The Cat in the Hat,’” he said.

“They’re going be books that are going to push some buttons and make people think. Whenever you do that, you’re going to have some people who are displeased.”

The controversy has made an impact in the Triangle.

“It’s a little-known, made-up scientific fact that reading about homosexuality can indeed induce its onset in some impressionable people,” wrote Barry Saunders in his latest column in The (Raleigh) News & Observer, titled “How dare we expect these Duke freshmen to read something that may challenge them?”

Many UNC students expressed different views from Grasso’s, citing the ability to take what is needed from the book.

“I made a point to read the Bible because there are things in there that I know I wasn’t going to agree with, and I wanted to be exposed to them — just to solidify my beliefs, but also to know what else other people believe,” said senior Shannon Brien.

Freshman Elina Rodriguez said she thinks that the message is malleable.

“I don’t think you have to read something to believe it,” she said. “Read it and let it reaffirm your already existing beliefs.”

Grasso said he will look away in future classes that might feature explicit images or films.

“It’s a matter of holding to your perspective. If people don’t hold to their perspective, then diversity loses all of its value,” he said.

“I don’t really think there are very many ideas that I won’t be able to understand because I avoid looking at graphic sexuality. That seems ridiculous to me.”

UNC sophomore Madeline Ray, a member of Christian campus ministry Cru, said she understands what it’s like to read things she finds questionable.

“When I read something that doesn’t go with my beliefs, I don’t completely reject it at first. I try to study it more and learn more about it and contrast it with my beliefs,” she said.

“Honestly, I pray for God to reveal truth.”

@RyanSchocket

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