Reply #53: Seems to me like they are being revisionist.

[Goblinmonger]

Or are you saying that an English teacher in the South would not take the opportunity to point out the racism of the south but instead engage in "niggers suck" discussions with the kids? I really don't get it. Changing a novel which satirizes the racist views of the south does little to change anything other than to not have the satire out there.

I am currently prepping my final discussion of Huck Finn with my juniors. It is a big deal. I use the use of the word to point out the dynamic nature of Huck's character compared to that of society/Tom. We will look at the line by Tom "...and besides, Jim's a nigger, and wouldn't understand the reasons for it, and how it's the custom in Europe" to contrast Huck's realization that Jim deserves to be treated like a human. I will read the page before the "All right then, I'll go to hell" line of Huck to show the differences in views about blacks. It doesn't have the same impact if you remove the racist language.

Anyone who thinks Twain was racist and his use of the word was as well, doesn't understand the novel. It is a big deal. Twain would bitch these people out.