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Controversy Over Huck Finn To Teach, or not to Teach?

Controversy Over Huck Finn To Teach, or not to Teach?. J’Ron Barrett April 2, 2012 Ms. Schieffelin. What’s the Problem?. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the “N-Word” is used about 219 times.

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Controversy Over Huck Finn To Teach, or not to Teach?

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  1. Controversy Over Huck FinnTo Teach, or not to Teach? J’Ron Barrett April 2, 2012 Ms. Schieffelin

  2. What’s the Problem? • In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the “N-Word” is used about 219 times. • It was replaced with the word “slaves” to provide a more politically correct term to express somewhat the same meaning. • Some people believe that the word should not be used. • Others feel like it takes away from the central theme and meaning of the book. • It has caused widespread controversy over the past years. • (Lloyd, Delia)

  3. Huck Finn Should be kept the same? • Some people think that Huck Finn should be kept the same for the reason that it takes away from the main tone of the book. • Because this book is considered a “classic”, it should not be changed because it is coming from the authors point of view. • “If we can not get over the mere usage of the word in a text as highly praised as “Huckleberry Finn”, how can we move to a higher  level of awareness in our communities or legislatures when confronting racism?” • It is perceived to be a deviation from the suffocating idea of racism and an attempt to shy away from the fact that racism still lives today. (caffeinatedpolitics.com) (caffeinatedpolitics.com)

  4. Huck Finn Should be Censored • Some believe that Huck Finn should be censored because of the meaning behind the “n-word”. • “…studying any society’s cultural output provides a window into history—into the intellectual and emotional strengths and weaknesses of human beings living in a different time or place.” • It would hinder the voice of a legend during times that do not appeal to us today. • History is history, because we can’t change it, we should learn from it. • (Ozols, Alexandra)

  5. My Personal Opinion • I believe that Huck Finn should not be censored, and it should be taught to high school students. • It is an understandable way to learn about how life was for African Americans during a time where racism reached it peak. • People don’t understand that racism will always be around, and even though it isn’t as noticeable as it was back then, doesn’t mean that it will ever go away.

  6. Huck Finn in Schools • It is aimed to schools like us, which have discussions about books. • “If you want to have the conversation with the word in it, then have it. But if you don’t…buy the other copy!” (Randall Williams, Editor, New South Books) • “It says race continues to be a touchy subject ‘til this day” • When 60 Minutes asked an African American Twain scholar, he said, “It is one of the greatest books of all time…it is one of the greatest books in American literature. (David Bradley, Author) • ("Huck Finn: The N-word.“)

  7. David Bradley:Slave vs. Nigger • “A Slave is a condition, anybody could be a slave, it’s nothing for anybody to be ashamed of.” • “A nigger has to do with shame and humiliation, nigger was what made slavery possible” • “In every group, there are words you use, there are inflections, there is knowledge about what a word means, that is not an insult between you or to me.” • “White people cannot say the word because you are not us” • “The word itself is not insulting, it’s the way it is used is hurtful, and the person saying it is hurtful.” • ("Huck Finn: The N-word.“)

  8. Works Cited • Lloyd, Delia. "N-Word Controversy." Politics Daily. Politics Daily, 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. • Nigger’ Helps Us Understand Racism And Should Not Be Removed From Text." CaffeinatedPolitics.com. 5 Jan. 2011. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. • Ozols, Alexandra. "Why Huck Finn Should Stay in High School." Why Huck Finn Should Stay in High School. The Weslyan Argus, 8 Feb. 2011. Web. 30 Mar. 2012. • Bradley, David, and Randall Williams. "Huck Finn: The N-word." 60 Minutes. CBS. 20 Mar. 2011. Web. 31 Mar. 2012.

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