controversy over huck finn to teach, or not to teach?

Controversy Controversy Over Huck Over Huck

FinnFinnTo Teach, or not to Teach?To Teach, or not to Teach?

J’Ron BarrettApril 2, 2012

Ms. Schieffelin

What’s the Problem?What’s the Problem?

Huck Finn Should be Huck Finn Should be kept the same?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)

Huck Finn Should be Huck Finn Should be CensoredCensored

My Personal OpinionMy 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.

Huck Finn in SchoolsHuck Finn in Schools

David BradleyDavid Bradley::Slave vs. NiggerSlave vs. Nigger

Works CitedWorks 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.