Speaking of Mark Twain

[RalphVa]

I've heard that Mark Twain's books Tom Sawyer & Huck Fin are banned in US schools. Anyone know why?

[RalphVa]

I've heard that Mark Twain's books Tom Sawyer & Huck Fin are banned in US schools. Anyone know why?

[Burntbuns]

Because it repeatedly uses the word, "******". What may have been a less demeaning term 100 years ago have some educators perplexed at the moment.

[MikeyBear1964]

Burnt,

Can you help me here? What is the first letter of the word?

Thanks!

[Guest]

The first letter is "n". At least I think that was the word he meant.

[TXK NUDE]

I think the term is probably "N*gger" as it was used in the late 1800's and early 1900's to describe persons of non-caucasian origin.

[Burntbuns]

I didn't block the word, the programming software did it. And you are right, that was the word.

[Trailscout]

I hate to see an entire book thrown out for the sake of one word. Samuel Clemens was no racist. Any casual reader of Huck Finn will see the compassion and brotherhood Tom and Huck feel for Jim, their Afro-American friend.

Because our language has changed since those days, perhaps the best thing to do is offer the books to the students with an explanation that the meaning of words changes through time and the "N" word is now a hateful term. Or the schools could release a sanitized school edition of those stories without that offensive word.

These books convey a very positive story about skinnydipping and nudity that I want future generations to learn.

[MikeJB]

Because our language has changed since those days, perhaps the best thing to do is offer the books to the students with an explanation that the meaning of words changes through time and the "N" word is now a hateful term. Or the schools could release a sanitized school edition of those stories without that offensive word.
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I think it boils down to the fact that school administration just doesnt give a damn. Theyd rather be lazy and instead of dealing with a situation like this in a mature way, they simply take the easy way out and throw the book away and quote their morals and values and just care about their *******ed payrolls and would rather kids hear their one sided liberal bull**** policy than get a decent education. I guess most of what school is now is Teacher Union/LIberal Bull**** 101! If people in our schools are gonna throw away a potentially educational book just because of one little word that they dont like then what business do these yahoos have being in our schools and teaching our children if they have such a limited and mindless view of the world? In fact why should we even pay them the enormous amount of money and benefits thet demand for the crap job they give our children in return? I would sure hate to hear these people's views about the nudist lifestyle.

[Bob S.]

"Because our language has changed since those days, perhaps the best thing to do is offer the books to the students with an explanation that the meaning of words changes through time and the "N" word is now a hateful term. Or the schools could release a sanitized school edition of those stories without that offensive word."

But detailed explanations are not the order of the day. Today, we censor rather than allow discussion and dialogue occur. Heaven help us if teenagers were made to discuss relevant subjects such as racism in a direct manner. Why, that would invite free thought! Perish the thought, and while you're at it, perish all that doesn't agree with a certain person's POV.

And I am vehemently against putting out a "sanitized" version of a book such as that. There would be no end to the insanity! You see, in this version, Huck and Jim would never be naked, but swim clad in their shorts.

Bob S.

[Dan and Janette]

If one were to follow the logic of banning anything with that particular offensive term, just about anything Spike Lee ever made would be on the chopping block, too.
Come to think of it, 99% of rap would be canned as well, so maybe it isn't all bad......

[Dan and Janette]

quote:

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Originally posted by MikeJB:
[qb] Because our language has changed since those days..... [/qb]

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LOL....tell me you're kidding.

[Naturist Mark]

3 versions:

Yes indeed, our language continues to change day to day.

Word, da sucka's's language be 24/7 evolvin'

Yall liss'n here. fer sure, the way folks talk is always changin. Ya reckon?

-Mark

[nudewheelchairTodd]

well why can't the parent read it to their children?

[Dan and Janette]

quote:

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Originally posted by nudewheelchairTodd:
[qb] well why can't the parent read it to their children? [/qb]

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They can, but that misses the point. Being, should these books be removed from the public school system?
By the way, this is an old argument. I'm 46 years old, and there were people objecting to Huck Finn when I was in school, for the same reasons.