Mrs. Kloser Op-Ed MCGOVERN

 Huckleberry Finn states a conflict with the n word being used throughout the novel. The case has been discussed and stated throughout different societies and is being seen as a big controversial topic. In my opinion I disagree with the “n” word being censored in books because its important for us students to learn how it was like in the past to understand and learn in the future. It’s also important to get the exact affect of that word and the feel of what it caused. The n word meant something horrible to the blacks in the past and now we shouldn’t abuse it by saying it in a derogatory way.

I believe that the “n” word shouldn’t be used for any sort of purpose but in this situation; yes because we need to understand the real feel of the book and how bad it really was back in that generation. It wasn’t all nice and beautiful most of the times it was hard and rough. My quote by Jane Smiley really proves how we can handle this controversy situation with maturity. “Personally, if I were to teach Huck Finn, I would want my students to be shocked and repelled by the use of the n-word, and I would then want to discuss the issues around that word, and how those issues are represented in the novel. However when we read the book, it was very uncomfortable for me to use that word.” I affirm that it is uncomfortable at times to read the book knowing how the n word affects a different amount of people but I also know that they understand how important it is for us to relive this moment so we can figure out how “America” became to be “America.”  My second quote by Butler really proves the other side of the argument on how people should react to the use of this word. “It’s complicated, “nigger” is. I suffered through Huckleberry Finn in high school, with the white kids going out of their way to say “Nigger Jim” and the teacher’s tortured explanation that Twain’s “nigger” didn’t really mean nigger, or meant it ironically, or historically, or symbolically.” Paul Butler also states that’s it important to understand the feel of this book but how it really can cause people to read this book in a strong

I do believe it hurts other people when they here the n word because of the strong conflict it was but its good to discuss the conflict before reading it so you can read the book with a full minded maturity. I do agree that butler makes good points because he didn’t feel comfortable with how the n word was being said but I think if you have the maturity while reading this book then you will be able to understand the feel of how the book really was. Giving different options on how to read this book can make people feel comfortable but if you decide not to read this book then your hiding the truth from what students need to know. You would be hiding a way the fact of how bad history was because history wasn’t just peaches and roses. If you read this book it will give you a better understand of the world we live in today.