Censorship of Huckleberry Finn
As parents, it is important for you to know what information your child receives, especially in the learning environment of a classroom. The thought of your child reading a racially offensive book is unacceptable. Some people find Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn racially offensive. If you as parents perceive this book to be offensive, it may lead some of you to request that teachers and administrators not allow students to read this book in school. I ask that you consider other options before taking this action. The actual reasons for the censorship of Huckleberry Finn depend on many other factors: fear of uneducated or insensitive teachers leading student discussions, school administrators who wish to avoid controversy and discomfort with acknowledging our country's painful history.
What some people find offensive about this story is the language Huck Finn uses. In the story, Huck often refers to Jim as a "nigger," which some groups find unnecessary and reprehensible. In the minds of administrators and teachers, there is an easy solution by using less-controversial books. John Wallace, a school superintendent, writes, "Pejorative terms should not be granted any legitimacy by their use in the classroom under the guise of teaching books of great literary merit, nor for any other reason" (18). Why are we afraid of these "pejorative terms," instead of explaining to students what they mean and why white people used to use them to address African-Americans? Yet instead of finding out why we worry if the children read a derogative term used commonly over a century ago, we ignore the subject and pat ourselves on the backs for saving children's minds. Huckleberry Finn addresses topics dealing with race which are still relevant today. We cannot expect to solve the racial problems today by banning literature that deals directly with these issues. Twain writes about a friendship between a slave and a white youth; he demonstrates the lack of reason behind racist thought. These topics are not harmful to African-Americans, and if taught correctly, can be a positive learning experience.
Instead of addressing these issues, administrators often remove the controversial book from the class reading list and replace it with another book. Former Justice William Douglas is noted for his concern with First Amendment freedoms on the Supreme Court. He writes, "The First Amendment does not say that there is freedom of expression provided the talk is not 'dangerous'.
The act of banning something is an aggressive measure. However, this being said whether to ban Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has long been debated. While some say that the book is offensive and disrespectful, others claim it to be a valuable learning lesson. Because of its beneficial lessons, its way of shocking the reader, its reputation as being one of the best novels in american history along with other controversial books being allowed in high schools, The Adventure’s of Huckleberry Finn should be read by every High School across the country.
High Schools in the United States should not ban The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This book is one of the most important components of American literature in our libraries today, it throws the reader into a time when slavery was lawful and accepted, and gives the reader a new perspective on slavery in general. Until civil rights groups can come up with a better argument than the word “nigger” creating a “hostile work environment”(Zwick) it should not be taken off the required reading list of any High School in the country.
“So, where my garbage bag lady, Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, What about the grocery bag lady, Betcha love can make it better, I'm talkin' to my Gucci bag lady,Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, What about my paper sack lady, Betcha love can make it better, What about my nickle bag lady, Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go” (Badu). Ms. Badu speaks that no matter what social class you are “gucci bag lady” (Badu), as in the high class rich people or even the “grocery bag lady” (Badu), as the lower class lady will still go through the same things no matter what and where they are from. Also that love can make it better “betcha love can make it better” (Badu), meaning that again no matter the class or where they are from that love can make anything better in their
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.
For many years schools have banned books from being taught to their students because of parent complaints. These books have been shunned from the criteria, which may or may not affect the student’s understanding on a specific subject. People have been fighting to have these books banned because of excessive use of profanity, violence, sex, drugs and many other reasons. They do not look further in the books to see exactly what the author is trying to portray. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, is banned in various places in the United States. This book should not be banned because, this book shows an important part in our history, it is not pro-racism, and it shows how far along we have come since then.
The classic American novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn By Mark Twain has been a source of controversy since it was published. The controversy is centered around Twain’s use of the N word. It is a very heinous, powerful word that is almost always offensive. Mark Twain is well known as a satirist, in laymen's terms he makes light of social issues through his use of language. The story takes place in pre-civil war America so in order to effectively show the racism of the decade he had to use their vernacular. He did not intend to offend. He actually meant to make you feel uncomfortable with the racism. Huck Finn should not be censored because literary decisions should be left to the authors to make (5 Kathleen Parker), we need examples of ignorance to provide contrast to how far we have come, and because The powerful language Twain uses is necessary for the story and the story would be worse off for it.
The movie, Dead Poets Society truly captures the essence of the conformities that children are facing. The difference is letting the hourglass run out of time, or making the best of time, facing tough challenges along the way. Todd Anderson makes the best out of his time thanks to the teaching of Mr. Keating, his beloved English teacher. From a misunderstood adolescent to a courageous man, Todd shows his true colors and releases the inferior thoughts stirring up in his developing, young body. In the end, romanticism crushes idealism with power and envy, showing the eye-opening ways that a teacher can contribute to such a tightly wound academy such as Welton.
One can conclude that the flag waving, fist-pumping pride of the chorus completely betrayed the true essence of the song. The stark reality of the final words "Nowhere to run aint got nowhere to go," is not an affirmation of patriotism, but rather a voice echoed in despair and disillusionment. If interpreted as Springsteen intended, the words "born in the U.S.A." should not be considered a statement of pride, but rather a betrayal of the American dream, illustrating a country that failed and isolated many and robbed them of hope.
Michael Moore used comical tactics as a way to appeal to his audience in this piece of literature. Michael Moore’s argument is that capitalism is destroying the nation’s economy rather than helping to develop it. The poor are suffering, while the richer are getting richer. The arguments that Moore used may not be considered tangible by all, but he definitely did have the evidence to support his argument. Michael Moore purpose was to expose this ground breaking issue of the dominance of corporate America through video. He used the web source as a source to get his message across because he knew the internet would be accessible to many people. Moore in this film used the different elements of reasoning to identify the message he was sending to his audience.
"Jerry Springer Biography." TV Guide, TV Listings, Online Videos, Entertainment News and Celebrity News | TVGuide.com. Web. 07 Nov. 2010. .
Erykah Badu's song "Bag Lady" is a prime example of the healing power of music, and the lessons that can be taught through music. Erykah Badu's "Bag Lady" serves as a wake up call for women across the world. From the first verse of the song until the last verse when the song begins to fade, Badu's words evoke feelings of emotion that women can relate to. Badu's lyrics also help women find some type of inner peace to get over their problems, in a way that will best help them free their spirit.
One of the most enthralling central themes that exist in the Lion King are the concepts of the "Circle of Life." It is a concept that momentously emphasizes that everyone and everything attains an essential position in the world, that everyone and everything fulfill a major role in nature, and that everyone and that everything intricately fit into the great mosaic of life. It is through the vast assortment of the flora and fauna that is found in the pridelands, that Mufasa is able to explain this phenomenon to the young Simba. Informing Simba that life is a continuous cycle, built upon of the sociological trinity of: birth, death, and rebirth; he explains to Simba:
Mohandas Gandhi once stated these words, "I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary, the evil it does is permanent." The same can be said about many things in life. However, when thought about, few people may consider the violence brought up in literature. In the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, there are many scenes that illustrate the blind, violent nature that most humans tend to share. Mark Twain has used violence throughout his novel to enhance his beliefs on the injustices of slavery and any other form of senseless violence known to mankind. From the beginning with Pap's continuous abuse towards Huck, till the end with Emmiline Grangerfords poetry, is filled with violent sections that magnify the hypocrisy and stupidity of people.
Since Keating was a Progressive, he provided a student-centered curriculum. A student-centered curriculum “focuses on the needs and attitudes of the individual students. Emphasizes self-expression and the student’s intrinsic motivation” (Ornstein, Levine, Gutek, Vocke, 2004, p. 522). Keating believed that learning is not about forcing routine packages of knowledge on them, but that it has more to do with triggering and inspiring the deepest feelings of his students. His purpose was to have his students think for themselves. Keating tells his students “Try never to think about anything the same way twice!” If you’re sure about something, force yourself to think about it another way.” Student-centered learning allows students the flexibility to learn anytime and anywhere, meaning that student learning can take place outside of the classroom. Keating really wanted to embrace this in his students. It is no coincidence that the Dead Poets Society cave in the woods is where most of the students’ engaging experiences occur, instead of at school in some classroom. According to Bramann, “Classrooms, schools, curricula, and disciplined instruction may be necessary for the education of the students and the maintenance of the life form into which humanity has evolved, but they are meaningless unless some deeper inspiration or vison will
Oberst's interpretation is as follows: "These amber waves, purple majesty are nothing but backdrops for Disney." The contrast between the classic, cheerful melody which describes the country's beauty and elegance with Oberst's warped versions of the familiar tune makes his listeners reconsider the pre-established traditional notion of patriotism in such a way as to question whether or not America is, in fact, as beautiful as illustrated in that timeless song. Oberst also puts his own twist on the traditional American spiritual, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.