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Huckleberry Controversy. By Reid Collins. Paultre, Pg. 1. Background Information. Huckleberry Fin was a book written by Mark Twain and published in 1885 in the United States. It uses the N-word 215 times.
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Huckleberry Controversy By Reid Collins Paultre, Pg. 1
Background Information • Huckleberry Fin was a book written by Mark Twain and published in 1885 in the United States. • It uses the N-word 215 times. • This racism was common for its time but the book is still being taught to schools today. Wikipedia, Pg.1
New South Books decided to publish a version of Huckleberry Fin with the n-word removed and slave put instead. • This caused a uproar over traditionalist who thought that Mark Twain used that word for a reason. Moore, Pg. 1
There is more harm done by teaching the old version. • The only negative thing people can say about the new version is that slave is already used in the book and doesn’t have the same meaning. Morre, Pg.1
To some African American students its very uncomfortable when the class reads the book out load or discuss it. It is also hard for them to approach the teacher and tell them that they are uncomfortable talking about it during class. Wallace, Pg.16
There have been many instances where African American families have protested to not teach the book and teachers or administrators have said “This book is a classic. Wallace, Pg.16
If schools wish to teach about the mistreatment of African Americans they should just study that time period. • The old version of Huck Finn should not be taught to Highschoolers because it is a tough environment for people to openly discuss racism. Moore, Pg.2
Alan Gribben a proffesor at Auburn University said he wants to spare “the reader from a racial slur that never seems to lose its vitriol. (Kakutani,Pg.1) Msnbc Kakutani,Pg.1
I think the students should decide if they teach the new version or the old. If at least one student thinks that the new version should be taught than the class teaches that book. • This will make for better discussions on the book because some student will feel more open to reading out loud or answering questions about the n-word. Moore, Pg.2
Overall Huck Finn is a tough book for some student to be taught. While they might hear the n-word in a hip-hop song, it doesn’t have the same harsh connotation as it is being used in the book. Moore,Pg.2 Wikipedia
Works cited • Paultre, Raymond. "The N-Word Becomes "Sivilized" In Huckleberry Finn." DrJays.com Live | Fashion. Music. Lifestyle. 30 Jan. 2011. Web. 5 Apr. 2011. <http://live.drjays.com/index.php/2011/01/30/the-n-word-becomes-sivilized/>. • Msnbc. "Author of Revised 'Huck Finn': 'N' Word a Distraction." Msnbc.com - Breaking News, Science and Tech News, World News, US News, Local News- Msnbc.com. Web. 5 Mar. 2011. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40932675>. • Wallace, John H. The Case Against Huck Finn. Print. • Moore, Lorrie. "Send Huck Finn to College." NY Times, 15 Jan. 2011. Web. 05 Apr. 2011. <nytimes.com/2011/01/16/opinion/16moore.html?>. • "Huckleberry Finn." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 05 Apr. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huckleberry_Finn>.
Kakutani, Michiko. "Light Out, Huck, They Still Want to Sivilize Yo." Ny Times, 6 Jan. 2011. Web. 5 Apr. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/07/books/07huck.html>.