Morrison wrote provocative novels about poverty, racism and violence against women, children and oppressed people.

Tough passages are in each of her books, but a person must take in the entire story to understand the greater meaning.

Brecheen did not do this or attempt to explain the context for the portion he read. It was simply to inflame others to vote his way against Common Core.

Morrison’s book is on Common Core recommendation list for juniors in high school. It is not a requirement.

Again, not a requirement.

But, as Putnam points out in her blog, it should be something Oklahomans read.

The state is No. 2 in teen pregnancy, No. 1 in female incarceration, No. 4 in male incarceration, No. 2 in the prevalence of mental illness and in serious mental illness, No. 8 in non-medical use of prescription drugs and 12th in suicides.

About a quarter of our children live in poverty, and that rate is almost double among black Oklahoma children.

These are bleak topics often explored by some the world’s greatest writers.