Our View: Readers share a timely issue

This summer’s selection for Baton Rouge’s One Book/One Community program isn’t exactly escapist reading, but we hope that residents find it a meaningful point of discussion about an important issue.

We’re talking about Karen Spears Zacharias’ “A Silence of Mockingbirds: A Memoir of a Murder.” It’s the shocking and true story of 3-year-old Karly Sheehan, who was beaten to death by her mother’s live-in boyfriend in 2005.

Zacharias knew the little girl’s mother, and her account of the tragedy raises some difficult questions regarding what might have been done to prevent Karly’s murder. Zacharias’ book is available at local bookstores and local library branches.

Modeled on similar programs in other cities, Baton Rouge’s One Book/One Community encourages everyone in the community to read and discuss the same book. The idea is to encourage an interest in books and civic engagement.

More information about discussions and programs related to this summer’s One Book/One Community selection is available at http://www.ReadOneBook.org.

“This year’s book reminds us all that we have a responsibility to report and stop child abuse,” said Robin Kistler, co-chairwoman of One Book/One Community.

We hope that local residents take the time to read “A Silence of Mockingbirds” and join the discussion.

Comments

1) Comment by bourbon-soda - 19/06/2012

No more than the average smoker gets lung cancer. Still a good idea to quit smoking.

2) Comment by tradewinns - 19/06/2012

while cohabitation simplifys the opportunity for a child abuser to abuse a child, the average person cohabitating does NOT abuse children. the only way to stop this horrendous crime is through QUICK, SEVERE, SURE PUNISHMENT!!! mercy on a child abuser is wasted.

3) Comment by bourbon-soda - 19/06/2012

As suggested by the synopsis of the book and documented at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21838575/ns/health- childrens_health/t/children-higher-risk-nontraditional-homes/#.T9tEGheU2b4 much of this epidemic is the sequel of the expansion of cohabitation, itself partly the sequel of teenage fecundity attributable to cultural and legal tolerance of statutory rape http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/ad- campaign-addresses-statutory-rape-and-teen-pregnancy-rs5on7p- 158701085.html . Without some stigma or legal action the related problems of cohabitation and statutory rape, the situation is unlikely to improve regardless of books about individual atrocities.

4) Comment by Mr. T - 19/06/2012

Stop trying to shove this liberal drivel down our throats!