Based on the comments and questions I’ve received, I don’t think most people have really considered the issue of teaching novels with the N-word and demeaning stereotypes in public schools. Most simply have a knee-jerk reaction — “You can’t replace ‘Huck Finn!’ — that reveals a fear of change…One man said that I’m propelling the decline of Western Civilization, and while I have been lifting weights, I don’t think I could budge any part of Civilization. A woman said Mark Twain would be ashamed, and I’d disagree with her as well. In fact, I think Twain would be appalled that his classic is taught in schools. Studying a novel in class is like dissecting a bird — you learn much about the bird, but you lose life and loveliness. Literature is meant to be read alone and reflected upon in the quiet of your own mind…Still, some respected and very bright friends and colleagues have told me they disagree with me on the issue. I’m glad I provided my viewpoint because it’s a legitimate issue worthy of debate, but I am always open to the possibility that I’m full of crap. I admire the late Anthony DeMello, whose variation on the insipid “I’m Okay, You’re Okay” philosopy was, “I’m an Ass, You’re an Ass.” Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we could all say, “Hey, I’m an ass, and you’re an ass, so you want to grab some lunch?” I’ll sign off by paraphrasing that great American yogi and philosopher, Mr. Berra: “Most people are half-full of crap about a third of the time.”
I can’t speak for everyone, but your suggestion doesn’t bother me because I “fear change.” I voted for Barack. I’m liberal- and open-minded. I’m relatively well-read. I’m not even a big fan of Twain, but I do know Huck Finn was a direct attack on racism. And most scholars would agree that Mockingbird exposed racial injustice at a critical point in the civil rights movement. Banning or censoring these books, literary tastes aside, would be a slap in the face to history.
Is the N-word completely abhorrent and inexcusable today? Yes. Do the novels you blamed condone it? No. Any sensible student, especially under the guidance of a teacher, can easily see that these books highlight the evil and injustice behind racism. Depending on their upbringing, some children may not learn these lessons without facing them in literature.
I understand your wish to bury the hatchet. I hate the word. I hate the idea. And I’m not someone who thinks shouting angrily about racial injustice is the right way to go either. But I think you may have misplaced your efforts here. Censorship isn’t the answer. There are some horrific passages that describe utterly immoral behavior in Homer, Virgil, the Bible, Alighieri, Faulkner, O’Conner, etc. But that doesn’t mean they condone that behavior, or that we should censor them.
If your aesthetic tastes differ from school reading lists (and God knows mine do), that’s one bone to pick. I’d much rather read Snow Falling on Cedars than Gatsby. But the censorship of racial injustice is another thing entirely.
Comment by Adam — January 27, 2009 @ 12:37 am
Your idea is brilliant and totally relevant to this new post modernism era. Schools can’t continue to teach the same thing throughout generations because people evovle and ideas changes throughout time. What was exceptable then is considered racism now. Should the book be taken off the curriculum just because the N-word, not nessacarily. But I do agree that books taught in school should be changed to fit the ever changing mind set of our youth. Teaching the same thing will reap the same results. If we truly want change in America we must do something different and not shove racist and untasteful bull down our childrens throats because in all honesty how many kids actually take much away from those books?
Comment by journalismgirl — February 3, 2009 @ 10:42 pm