You Can Erase A Word, But You Can’t Erase History

New South Publishing wants to eliminate all Niggers from Huckleberry Finn.

“Nigger” was once commonly used to describe people of African descent. Although, at the time, the word had no derogatory meaning, the terrible way blacks were treated at the time tainted the word with awful associations. History made this word offensive.

But when the children’s classic Huckleberry Finn was published the word was standard across America. To side-step this fact, a new edition of the book will be published which will exclude all 219 times the word is mentioned. Because it is a children’s book, it is argued, this work of literature should be censored.

What nonsense! This book is a great way to bring up the concepts of racism, slavery and equal rights with children. Nigger is not a deeply offensive word because of it’s linguistic make-up, it is deeply offensive because the way people of African descent were treated was offensive. Children need to learn this.

History is mostly filled with the terrible ways people treated each other. Kids need to learn about these injustices so that they hold on to justice that much more carefully.

And if you think those concepts are too complicated for your kid to understand, then just don’t read them the book! There are already all kinds of fluffy, inoffensive children’s books that carefully avoid any messy reality that they might encounter as adults. They will teach children their A, B, Cs without teaching them anything about life.

Contact the author here: mick@morningquickie.com