FREE ESSAY ON BANNING TE NOVEL HUCK FINN FROM SCHOOL READING LISTS

BANNING TE NOVEL HUCK FINN FROM SCHOOL READING LISTS

Banning te novel Huck Finn from school reading lists
My essay deals with banning the novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from high school
reading lists, and why this behavior is inappropriate. Specifically, it addresses the
following question:
Columnist James J. Kilpatrick wrote that Huck Finn is a fun book for white boys to
read... For black children, I have come to realize, it is a brutal slap in the face. He
condemns the book because of its use of the word nigger. Many school districts have
banned this book for the same reason. What are your views on this subject? 
Since the Civil War, racism has been a very delicate issue with the American public.
Whereas some people have tried to transgress this issue, pretending that race no longer
plays a significant role in our country, other people still believe that there are
serious racial dilemmas in the United States. I am one these people. However, unlike
some, I do not believe this problem can be solved by avoiding or sugarcoating the issue
of race, as James L. Kilpatrick and several schools appear to be doing. In the novel
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain presents an adventure story filled with deeper
meanings and controversial topics, two in particular being slavery and racism. Despite
the usage of the word nigger and the stereotypical portrayal of African Americans, I do
not think schools have any justification in banning this book from reading lists.
Mark Twain wrote Huck Finn during the Reconstruction period in the south, at a time when
most Americans wanted to forget all about the institution of slavery and its
consequences. However, Twain set the time period of this novel prior to the Civil War
when slavery was at its peak. Thus, the racist views he included in the book mirrored the
attitudes of most southerners during this time. Those that say that Huck Finn is
inappropriate to be read in schools are in effect saying that a portion of United States
history should not be taught in the classroom. Although slavery was one of the most
horrific periods in our countries history, to make sure nothing of its caliber ever
occurs again, we must make sure every high school student is aware of the ramifications
of such practices. By banning an important work in U.S. history, these schools are
ignoring the racial sentiments of this time period simply because the language in Huck
Finn may not be appropriate. 
In addition, reading this novel hopefully invokes in people a sense of shame for the
mistakes of our ancestors. Though the novel's language may offend some, it is Africans
Americans and Caucasians alike who are offended. Nobody likes to look at the word nigger
nor hear it used, however, we must accept that this word was at one time considered
appropriate language. Reading the novel, I was repulsed by this word and my stomach
churned as I read about the ignorance and hate stored within the hearts of characters.
However, I enjoyed reading this novel and gained a new perspective of life prior to the
Civil War. I think that when schools ban the novel Huck Finn from their curriculum that
they are in effect failing their students. Huck Finn is an excellent piece of literature,
rich with history, description, and unique perspectives. By not allowing this book to be
read in schools is like shutting students out from a valuable learning experience. Yes,
they can still read the novel in their spare time, but they are not afforded the
privilege to discuss this book openly in class or gain new perspectives into its meaning.
In addition, when African Americans refuse to read this novel they are depriving
themselves of a experiencing a brilliant piece of literature. I think that until you try
something, you can't attack it, or else you are showing your ignorance and stubborn
nature. 
Twain did not write this novel to belittle the African American race or to promote the
institution of slavery. Twain wrote this novel to depict life in the South prior to the
Civil War. Along with this depiction are the bias and racist attitudes prevalent in South
at this time. For all those school administrators who say that the language and ideology
of Twain's writing is offensive, well, maybe Twain wanted to offend people with this
novel. Maybe he wanted to offend them so much that they would come to the realization
that individuals should not conform to society's standards, one of these standards being
slavery. Until someone is offended, status quo doesn't change. Maybe it's about time that
we remove the blindfold from our nation's youth and stop trying to be politically
correct. Maybe it's about time that kids are exposed to the true horror of racism and
prejudice so to detour them from repeating fatal mistakes. High school students are
neither naive nor stupid; they can handle the contents of this novel, and hopefully,
learn from Twain's messages.