Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer Debates on whether it should be on the mandatory...

[Nuthin2dooo]

...reading list for schools (EX)? Currently in school we are reading Either Tom Sawyer of Huckleberry Finn or something and we are discussing the reasons it has been banned in so many schools. The word 'Nigger' has so far been the biggest problem I've seen. But why? We are long past that point in history when that word was so demeaning; so, granted that today it is still used offensively, why do people still freak out about it? That point will (hopefully) NEVER happen again. Yes, that point in history happened and we need to learn from our mistakes but how do we learn from our mistakes if we don't analyze it thoroughly? How do we learn that the word 'Nigger' is bad unless we teach why it's bad and teach the history behind it; what makes it a bad and demeaning word.
So my questions are: Why do people still take offense to this?, What are your opinions over this?, How can we approach this differently so as to satisfy both the books point and lesson as well as those that are offended?, and, Should the book be banned from all schools and why or why not?
In case you haven't read the book, the word that is starred out is negro.
The negative word for a black person because it doesn't take either form of the word. It's also known as the 'N' word.

 

[Jacqueline C]

Well i actually read both books for my english project last year for grade 11. i loved the two books.

I dont think any works of literature should ever be banned from libraries.
exept maybe hitlers 'mien kamf' (but thats a historical book so it has its ups).

i thought the books were really fun, just two kids having a good time being kids. i could see how some schools would find it offensive enough to ban, but that just their ignorance.

Schools need to calm down a little bit. students should read because they want to, not because they are forced. if they find a book like tom and huck and want to read it, no one should stop them.