The latest literary controversary surrounds the use of the "n" word in the literary classic
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Read the following
New York Times article and discuss your own perspective. Remember to sign off with your full name and class period.
I do not agree with the idea that we should take certain books out of school curriculum just because it has the n word in it. By doing that, you would be depriving the student of classic literature. Perhaps there could be edited versions or more censored versions for younger ages, that may be a good thing so that they arent exposed to such language at a young age, but older kids and people should know not to take offense to derogatory terms.
ReplyDeleteAmber Isaac
Period 6
I believe that the book should not be banned or edited. If you take out "the n word" then you acctually erase the starting point of how our society once was. And trying to clean up the history and make it seem like it was always good, is robbing the future generations. Take a look at whats going on in the world today.
ReplyDeleteOne of my former teachers went to China over the break and when she went to Tiananmen Square, the officers told her that if she brought up what happened, she would be arrested on the spot. So anyone born in that area after 1989 has no clue. The same thing with the holocaust, in Germany that is not taught to students. If you don't learn about the past then you are destined to repeat it. And there's only 3 books I can remember as far as in high school where it may offend some people, compared to multiple books that we do read from K-12th grade. And it wasn't just to read, but to also teach history.
I also agree with Amber, that because we read this when we're older and you should be mature enough to handle it, especially since the word is not even aimed to put you down.
Matt Gutierrez
5th
I highly disagree and find to be shockingly disturbing to even think about the removal of great literature novels because of profanity or controversial subjects. Just because you can hide them in literature does not rid of topics like abortion or the racial slurs. Its ridiculous beyond belief that they would even want to alternate such books like Fahrenheit 451 because of the language. That book is the english literature being put to its best use along with other spectacular writings like the classic Huckleberry Finn. To rid of such great literature would be to deprive the United States whole. Racism is an important part of the United States past. We learn from the past progressively with time, and hiding the past has to do more harm then good.
ReplyDeleteAnd I entirely agree with Matt, the "n" word in literature is not aimed to put anyone down, its just a reference if anything at all. And honest to all, if the "n" word is in school books and this blog assignment, is it not a bad thing to spell it out entirely for educational reasons?
I don't think that the book is offensive by using the "n" word because the book was written in the time that that word was regurlary used. They are not saying it to be offensive and they even explain in the book that "Huck" doesn't even understand what it means. Also, in the article, they explain how everday rappers use the word as if it is something to be proud of, but the second it comes from somebody else, it becomes offensive. I do not agree with removing the books from schools curriculum.
ReplyDeleteAshley Poole
Period- 5
I don't think the book should be banned either, because the book is more than just a fictional book, it gives life from back then when society wasn't truly equal and without a book to show it, then how can kids better understand the past that their ancestors went through.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ashley Poole
Gabriel Luna
5th period
I being a african american don't think that the book needs to be banned. It's a classic book based in a time when the "n" word was regulary used. And it's not like the books telling everyone to go out and call people racist names or anything.
ReplyDeleteronnie trey davis
3rd period
I think changing the book is the wrong thing to do because it would just make future generations ignorant of our past. The way the book is written, helps us now learn from the mistakes of earlier generations. Even if they do replace the words, someone else is going to have a problem with the new words; so no matter what happens someone will not be happy.
ReplyDeleteBrittany Haselden 6th
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ReplyDeleteI dont think its a good idea to banned the book at all. This book was written a long time ago and its a very interesting book. I think banned the book will remove the meaning of it and make it more difficult for people to see the different between today society and the past. I agree with Brittany because she also think that the book helps us learn from the mistakes of earlier generations.
ReplyDeleteTien Huynh
5th period
I don't think this book should be banned or censored because of one word. It was written in the 19th century when that word was commonly used and history shouldn't be sugarcoated. The book isn't slandering anybody and it's not offensive at all. People now are pretty used to the word and use it in degrading ways, unlike Huckleberry Finn. Plus, it seems a little wrong to alter an artist's work.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ronnie, the book is persuading people to be racists or anyting.
Taylor Hansen
3rd period
Changing classic books like Huckleberry Finn is basically degrading literature at its finest. Why change something when its already great? The N word is carefully used now, and people are more open-minded than before. We cant change the past but we could learn from it and replacing the word wont gain the respect it now deserves.
ReplyDeleteAshley Tran
period 3
Banning an American Classic from an ENGLISH CLASS is probably one of the most absurd things I've ever heard. Yes, the N-Word is a terrible word, but that's what they said back then. Cleaning up the novel is taking away from the realism and authenticity of the work. The use of that word has a purpose in the story.
ReplyDeleteRobert Francis
Period 5
I believe they should keep the book the way it is, because it's history and we have learned not to use that offensive word. Huckleberry Finn is a classic novel and changing the N-Word is like changing history, because that word is from the past.
ReplyDeleteShannon Reynolds
3rd period
I do not agree with the changing of the 'n' word in Huckleberry Finn. How is anyone supposed to learn from history if it's changed. Everyone knows that blacks were not treated equally not too long ago. Now it seems people want to rewrite history and it's wrong. "Slave" is not much better than the n word anyway.
ReplyDeleteDaniel Holub
period 3
I think that this book should not be banned for the use of the n word. Maybe for younger readers they could censor the use of the n word, but i think if they would censor it then it would take meaning away from the book. The book is based during the time period of when their was racisim and even though most americans might not be proud that are history envolves segregation and racisim we still need to learn from the past so we wont make the same mistakes again.
ReplyDeleteJacob Garza
per 6
The book should not be banned at all, because how would we know that African Americans were treated badly and that they were slaves. The "N" word yes is very disrespectful and so is "slave" but why ban a book for that. Without the "N" word we would lose the whole message the book is trying to portray.
ReplyDeleteDaisy Mujica
7th period
I disagree with the banning of Huckleberry Finn. if students are not taught about this book that includes the n word in it, then they might use it since rappers use the n word in their songs. Students should be able to understand where the n word comes from or they will not know the true meaning and background of the word. Banning this book would be a disgrace to the writer since he's giving people the real understanding of the n word, and not using it as profanitity.
ReplyDeleteSam Vanzytveld
Period 7
I think they should leave the book how it is because thats how they used the "n" word back in our history. Now its a new time period
ReplyDeleteI don't think the book should be banned or changed because of a word used. That's the way they talked back then and the book reflects the time period. It's a classic and should remain as is.
ReplyDeleteBret Powers
Period 5
Huckleberry Finn has been around for nearly over a hundred years now and all of a sudden they want to change the book? Me personally i think it would be close minding teens to how reality was back then and how the way of life was. My parents and theirs parents too read Hucklberry Finn, its a classic! I rather enjoyed reading it and i hope it will never be banned because i would want my future children to read the book as well. Even if the book does say the "n" word its not like its promoting it to encourage kids to start using it as well. And we as teens are mature enough (most of us are, for the most part) to handle books that contain words that may be offensive and not to use them.
ReplyDeleteI think the banning of books is ridiculous. These books are a basis of American literature and learning about history is very important for the future. I know many African Americans that don't find offense to the use of that word in Huckleberry Finn because it was based on a slave trying to be freed at a tough time in history that we shouldn't just erase from our minds but rather learn from it. History repeats and if we forget about it then we'll just make the same mistakes that our past did. Although if a person truly does feel uncomfortable reading the book then we shouldn't force it on them but rather offer up alternatives.
ReplyDeleteParker McVay
3 period
Banning a book is also banning knowledge. I believe if people really do take such offense to a certain book, they do make unabridged versions where they do not use obscenities. I know using the 'n' word is an extremely touchy subject, but when used in a classic novel that is completely different than someone hating on another.
ReplyDeleteJacob Longnecker
Period 3
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ReplyDeleteI dont think banning the book is nessicary because it was written when the "n" word was used a lot.
ReplyDeleteI agree with daisy, we would lose what the book is portaying.
taylor burton
per 3
I don't think the book should be banned neither will updating the book. Saying "slave" is similar to using the "n" word but not as graphic. The book was written during the time period where the "n" word was commonly used and harmful, but is somewhat offensive during the time period. Either way the man is being addressed by a term that shows his character in the book and the setting will remain the same.
ReplyDeleteDemeetra
per. 5
I do not think the book should be banned, it is a great book from the past that teaches us about the life back the. The "n" word was a common every day term then and should not be looked down on today just because the times have changed. If this book is banned then they are taking away a great learning aspect.
ReplyDeleteJessica Martinson
Period 5
Good ol' Huck has stood up to numerous attempts at being banned and I doubt that his luck will run out now. Such arguments against it's inclustion in the cirriculum as the theme of slavery have been beaten back over the ages because of the overall message of Twain's words.
ReplyDeleteDavid Walker
Period 6
I grow tired of people constantly trying change a work of literature to be what THEY think it should be, in the end, it isn't the publisher's book, even though the law may say it is, mark twain wrote it, and if he wants to say the "n" word and nothing else every other word, then let him, he may be dead, but please, show some respect.
ReplyDeleteChris McLees
Period 5
Improving Huckleberry Finn, i can see the pros and the cons on their decision in changing the wording, but i can also see why they shouldn't "improve" the book. Improving the book it may stop some of the racial problems we might still have by not being read the "n" word in the book in many classes. I believe that changing the book would not expose classic works of literature to the children who havent read the book.
ReplyDeleteConsuelo Montano
Period 7th
Banning books that have the "n" word in it will not teach anyone how people were from the past. I think because of the book people have learned that it is not okay to use the word whenever they please. Getting rid of the book, is getting rid of great literature.
ReplyDeleteI think that this book should not be banned because it is only telling a story, it is not giving instructions on names it call people. It is also a classic and tell about a time in history. It is not telling about the present times and if people think that it will teach people bad words that why has it been okay up until now. Also if a kid repeats that word then they probably should not be reading that book in the first place.
ReplyDeleteKatie Spitzer
Period 3
I believe that replacing the "n" word with the word "slave" is not much better. Therefore, they should leave the classic Huckleberry Finn book just as it is. By altering certain words in a book, it is no longer the classic, original book. Also, they should leave the book in the curriculum because its a work of literature. If a kid does not like using the word in the classroom, he/she should have the option of leaving and reading a different book.
ReplyDeleteChristina Gutierrez
Period 3
I do not agree with the idea that we should take certain books out of school curriculum just because it has the n word in them. I feel that they should just make a diffrent copy with out the "n" word by just replacing it wit another. I agree with what aisaac11236 said by just having a edited versions or more censored versions for younger ages.
ReplyDeleteI find this idea absurd. I feel like we are taking the ideas that someone has come up with and changing it to our like, which for me doesnt give any credit to the author. Changing it, will resullt in the learning of future generations different from ours, and i think that the more original we keep it, the better.
ReplyDeleteDavid V, 5th
I do not find the logic the people who drew this idea up had reasonable by any means. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a timeless literary classic written by a man who very well may have defined some aspects of the way we look at the English language in modern day. Just because some of the content of the novel might not be acceptable by today's standard does not mean terminate it, I would think the opposite and cherish it as a timeless keepsake of how things were in the past. Books tell stories and Huck Finn was written to describe life in the Mid-West during the slavery period. Taking out the 212 N words in the book takes away a part of the story.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ashley that it is down right degrading to literature to edit a dead mans work. I believe Mark Twain would turn in his grave if he could see this.
Taylor Boyd
6th Period
The book "Huckleberry Finn" is a classic in literature, it should not be changed because it is a historically accurate book. The author, Mark Twain, knew exactly what he was doing when he was writing the book. He , as do we all, know thats the way people from the south spoke. It may be a derrogatory term, however the word needs to stay instead of being edited out because it shows their way of speaking to people back then. Also just because its offensive, you can't try to "write it out" or make it disappear, because then you would be publishing a false history. Also it should not be banned. I would say only allow students in High-School to be allowed to read it because they would have a better understanding of the situation.
ReplyDeleteChris Green
Period 7
I disagree with the banning of Huckleberry Finn. Students should be able to understand where the n word comes from or they will not know the true meaning and background of the word. Banning this book would be a disgrace to the writer since he's giving people the real understanding of the n word, and not using it as profanitity.
ReplyDeleteKerymme Casanova
Period 7