In a parenting debate community, someone just brought up Huck Finn and the original version versus the censored version (where the n-word has been completely replaced with "slave
( Read more... )
for me, when it comes to things like art and literature, i don't think it's acceptable to censor. huck finn, in particular, is a anti-slavery & anti-racism book, and twain himself was extremely outspoken about the state of race relations in the US, so it seems even more unnecessary to me, given those facts.
i much prefer putting things in context, as opposed to just removing offensive things altogether. to pretend that the n-word doesnt exist is offensive, too. and it removes the chance for open, honest discussion about race.
having said all that, i also recognize that huck finn is often read by children, in school, and a text with the actual word can complicate the process of learning about the book and it's anti-racist themes. so in that way, i think having access to a cleaned up version of the book is a good idea (though i hope there's also a discussion about that, too).
I don't believe in censorship generally, so I find myself reluctant to favor a censored version of any book. On the other hand, I think Huck Finn would be great to start a calm, intelligent discussion of race around. If a student expresses discomfort, I would include them in a class discussion about whether or not the book should be taught and about racism in general. I'm white, so I wouldn't say the n-word aloud, I would just say 'n-word' if I were talking about it. The teacher and the book have already had their say in the classroom since the teacher has had the kids read the book - I think it's important for the students to get their say too. They're being taught to think critically and have their own ideas, and they won't do that as well if they don't get to debate issues
( ... )
I appreciate the thoughts and I like the idea of actively bringing parents into the discussion.
I'm looking into teaching in an inner city school, and I often worry (as a white lower middle class girl from a rural, racially homogeneous area) about how I'll handle these issues as I come across them. Taking parental (and student!) input seems like a great idea - maybe not phrasing it as a "Should we teach this book?" question, but "How should we teach this book?"
The book I was reading, which I think is the most calm, affirming-to-all-sides, and sensible piece of writing about race relations in the US that I have read so far, is Other People's Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom, by Lisa Delpit. I've been reading and thinking a lot about teaching because when (if ever) I finish my PhD one of the paths I might end up in is teaching, and I would recommend this book to all teachers. Or all white teachers? I guess it is primarily aimed at white teachers.
We read this at the very end of last semester. I think that the book is a very powerful and precarious one to teach, because it can go wrong in so many, many ways. But I think that the way my teacher approaches it works rather well (although admittedly it's not perfect and he's always trying to improve it
( ... )
ah, sorry about the late reply, I've just been thinking about this a lot lately and I didn't want to reply right off the bat for fear of being stupid (not that this comment now may be any better). Plus I wanted to read your links, because you were nice enough to put them up and I should really take the time to read more.
But I totally see what you're saying. Thank you for the links! I guess I'm still just as conflicted, because I personally gained a lot from reading Huck Finn and discussing it, but I also definitely see that I have far less stake in the matter than other people all over the country and that my experience is extremely individualized. So, the more I think about it, the more I agree with the idea of not teaching the book at all, although I still think that the word shouldn't be changed. To 'slave', at least.
I guess I was just really lucky that my experience with the book didn't degenerate into a difficult situation. I can't speak for all of my friends, but it seemed like while Mark Twain wasn't completely hateful,
( ... )
Comments 22
i much prefer putting things in context, as opposed to just removing offensive things altogether. to pretend that the n-word doesnt exist is offensive, too. and it removes the chance for open, honest discussion about race.
having said all that, i also recognize that huck finn is often read by children, in school, and a text with the actual word can complicate the process of learning about the book and it's anti-racist themes. so in that way, i think having access to a cleaned up version of the book is a good idea (though i hope there's also a discussion about that, too).
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
I'm looking into teaching in an inner city school, and I often worry (as a white lower middle class girl from a rural, racially homogeneous area) about how I'll handle these issues as I come across them. Taking parental (and student!) input seems like a great idea - maybe not phrasing it as a "Should we teach this book?" question, but "How should we teach this book?"
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
But I totally see what you're saying. Thank you for the links! I guess I'm still just as conflicted, because I personally gained a lot from reading Huck Finn and discussing it, but I also definitely see that I have far less stake in the matter than other people all over the country and that my experience is extremely individualized. So, the more I think about it, the more I agree with the idea of not teaching the book at all, although I still think that the word shouldn't be changed. To 'slave', at least.
I guess I was just really lucky that my experience with the book didn't degenerate into a difficult situation. I can't speak for all of my friends, but it seemed like while Mark Twain wasn't completely hateful, ( ... )
Reply
Leave a comment