Christian Valle

10/16/13
Pd: 1

Synthesis Essay

Does removing profanity from a song or a book really make a difference in the
overall message? In some school systems Twains Huck Finn has caused lots of
controversy due to its excessive use of the N word.

Regarding Light Out Huck they still want to sivilize you

A new effort to sanitize Huckleberry Finn comes from Alan Gribben, who has
produced a new edition of Twains novel that replaces the n word with slave. The
big question remains is this good or bad? Some people like John Foley a high
school teacher stated Huck Finn, Of Mice and Men, and To Kill a Mockingbird
dont belong in the curriculum anymore. As well as in Jimmy Swindlers A Good
Fix for Huck Finn where the writer states I firmly believe that his use of one
extremely offensive word is keeping one of his classics out of the hands of
countless American schoolchildren.

On top of the big debate on whether or not to use the N word many people
dont even want the books in their schools such as John Foley previously as well
as Kathy Monteiro. Monteiro sued the school district, charging that the
assignment of those books with their multiple nigger references discriminating
against black students by creating a hostile environment and even encouraging

whites to harass black students.

On the other side By removing the N word how different will the story be? Some
would argue that it does. Regarding Kathleen Parkers Leave Twain Alone where
she states The purpose of reading isnt just to run words past a pupils pupils but
to enhance understanding and reveal truth through what we call teaching. Here
Parker brings up an interesting point where the point of a book is not just for
mere reading but to gain knowledge. Another great point also in "Leave Twain
alone" states "what about eliminating just the wrong word? this is just for the
editor to urge and, in a righteous world, the writer to decide. Here the writer
states that even as controversial of a book Huck Finn is it should be Twains
decision to change it and not many think he would be ok with that.

Another aspect to this arguement is that the word is used frequently in todays
time. Regarding Erika Hayasakis article the N word is still spoken in New York.
Some state by changing the ending to an A changes the word versus it ending in
an "er". Although Twain uses it some believe we should not take the word to
offense because times have changed the word has evolved to a word that
represents empowerment over slavery.

Overall we must ask ourselves once again does Twain use this word repeatedly
to be racist or to prove a point? Why would he use this word? Was it maybe to
show the inhumane treatment towards African Americans or simply to be racist?