Synthesis Essay

Rubin Guzman
Pd 3
10/14/13

America has a history of treating people they dont accept very cruel.
Throughout time racism has been a big concern, starting from the slave era
continuing to the segregation era up to present day. Many argue that the
novel The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn should be taken off of school
reading list for the usage of the word N-word used throughout the book.
Throughout this book the word Nigger is mentioned 219 times, in this
case many teachers avoid reading and sharing this book to younger students
and older students. On a article named A Good Fix for Huck Finn by Jimmy
Swindler a sixth grade U.S history teacher and reading teacher is thrilled to
hear that last week Mark Twains classic Huckleberry Finn has been edited
taking out the N-word. In the article a quote is mentioned saying welcome
this news as a chance to introduce Twain to a younger audience for whom no
amount of explaining can justify the repetitive. This is a given chance for
younger readers to experience and know the hardships colored people had
back then without usage of N-word.

Furthermore, even though Huckleberry Finn is an iconic classic many

believe that the book should be updated and taken out of the high school
curriculum. Light Out, Huck, They Still Want to Sivilize You an article
involving John Foley a high school teacher says Huckleberry Finn, To Kill a
Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men, dont belong on the curriculum
anymore. The time has arrived to update the literature we use in high school
classrooms. John is saying that time has done its place, this book containing
the N-word should go and be replaced. Removing the book would keep the
children from learning the classic work of literature, this book stands out and
removing it would take out the opportunity for students to explore the painful
complexities of race of race relations in this country.

In addition many think that banning the N-word wouldnt make a

difference. In paragraph 2 of N-Word Is Still Spoken In N.Y. Tieka Smiley a
saleswomen says Everybody has freedom of speech, she said. It depends on
the way you use it. It all matter on how you use it, it could be for historical

references, greeting friends or just plain use of it. Kids misuse the N-word like
if its nothing, but the thing is millions of kids use the word, theyre not going
to stop just because one person says so. But young people also say that its
meaning has changed, what difference would it make if the N-word was
banned? People are well aware of the word, it will still be used and nothing
would be able to stop it.

If the N-word were to continue it would teach todays young readers how
life was back then for colored people, the N-word stands for something else,
time has passed and its meaning has a whole different definition. Banning it
wouldnt be ideal, Tieka said people have transformed its meaning into
something positive. But as society becomes more sensitive some words will
continue to shock in context, it all matter on how we the people view the
word and use it.