Good morning. My name is Adam Angelo. I am a pastor at the Wesleyan Christian Church. I am completely disgusted that this book, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven, by Sherman Alexie, would be taught at our local high school here in Bartlesville. This book soils the innocence of our youth and besmirches the teachings of our Lord and Savior. For starters, the book uses foul language that is unfit for our youth, including using the Lord's name in vain many times throughout the book. The book also promotes drug use, violence, and excessive drinking. We cannot expose the children in our community to a book that makes it seem normal and fine to drink at such a young age and commit violent acts. The book was brought to my attention at church one afternoon by Mrs. Kooking and fellow church members who expressed their disgust that…show more content… It would display family dynamics in a bad light and make it seem normal to commit violence or aggression towards family members. For example, in the first story, the main character Victor witnessed from his room, his two uncles fighting outside his house during a massive New Year's Eve party. Victor said, “He could see his uncles slugging each other with such force that they had to be in love” (Alexie 2). When I read this, I was appalled. On just the second page, a terrible message is sent that aggressively fighting with your family members shows signs of love. I can’t imagine anyone here would be okay with their kid smacking and hitting them full force because they read a story in school that gave the impression that violence is a “sign of love”. Before I lose my sanity, let me continue. The book contained another sentence that shocked me. I read that when the fight ended, “Victor could almost smell the sweat and whiskey and blood”(Alexie 3). Not only is this a disturbing description of the fight, but it also introduces alcohol for the first time, and definitely not the last
