Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

I Have Something to Say and I Want to Be Heard

Virginia school district contemplates banning Huckleberry Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird over racial slurs.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/school-district-weighs-ban-of-to-kill-a-mockingbird-huck-finn-after-complaint/2016/12/03/92701c80-b8b0-11e6-a677-b608fbb3aaf6_story.html?utm_term=.94a76549c70a

What the hell is wrong with people? Studying the past is the best way to ensure we don't repeat the same mistakes. Not the mention Nigger Jim is one of the best examples of why racism is stupid to be found in English literature.
Tatsumi · 31-35, M
Well. The best way to get rid of racism is to ignore race, imo. Huckleberry Finn and To Kill A Mockingbird sorta throw it right in your face. They are classics, but they don't necessarily have to be taught in school. I'm conflicted.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
Tatsumi · 31-35, M
@MalteseFalconPunch: Yeah, but I think all the hollywood movies that come out on a yearly basis do a good job on that, already. And history class takes care of the rest. :|
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
SW-User
Schools should OPEN children´s minds. Not the opposite.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
hunkalove · 61-69, M
I think our schools are mostly about babysitting these days. Getting kids brainwashed to get up every day and go to a job they hate for thirty years so some rich people can get richer. Let's just keep libraries open and books in them. I have a feeling the Trump administration isn't going to be very supportive about library funding.
Picklebobble · 56-60, M
One of those stupid dichotomies.
No teacher would risk opening children's minds. Let alone their job, with an open discussion on race and why you have to be careful what you say; why people believe certain things; why there are laws outlawing certain behaviour; struggles of the past; the deep southern U.S. the kkk; segregation and how acceptable that was when America was building a trading empire for a millennia !
But it's ok to try and teach them a story of bigotry and and how 'that's just the way it was back then'. Because it's regarded as a literary classic !
You can't have one without the other !
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
Picklebobble · 56-60, M
@MalteseFalconPunch: but they're not, are they ?
Yes they show some people in a good light.
But they also show that there are some characters within it that use language specifically created to belittle others because of their race/colour.
Transformedandevolved · 26-30, M
You stop racism by not talking about it.
Transformedandevolved · 26-30, M
@MalteseFalconPunch: Moreover banning those literature aren't going to do anything. But, you know what? If I was never told about history or anything, I wouldn't have thought 'Nigger' or something every time I saw them. After reading those things, you start thinking that okay so blacks are different. And don't forget that it can always work as reverse psychology.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
SW-User
@MalteseFalconPunch: Agreed...it´s weird how some people would always twist words to fit their own interests... or beliefs. Never mind, teaching children, adolescents, adults to think properly, to read and analyse things by themselves will always mean "Task accomplished". Whatever neanderthals may say.
SW-User
We had set literature that was very racist
I sometimes pick one specific book up and read it for it's hilarious awesome writing
I must admit I'll read it and then the slurs will start bothering me
like enough already
but we've been brought up right/non-racist and the stuff don't stick
those books have a place
we've come a long way
JaggedLittlePill · 46-50, F

 
Post Comment