Yes, I actually am using that word to show it is just a word–but as any practicing anti-racist knows, it is a word that should not be used.
So, that NewSouth Books of Montgomery, Ala., is releasing in February a new version of Twain’s “Adventures Huckleberry Finn” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” with these key editing changes has brought its share of attention in the media, especially online and in blogs.
Some are saying that this is censorship and revisionist. I think these changes keep Mark Twain’s marvelous works of boyhood adventure available to today’s children and the children of tomorrow.
Sorry, folks, this is called progress. It really is not acceptable to call Indians, injuns or people of African descent, niggers. (So make sure you don’t!) Of course, I can hear some of you saying that changing the word nigger to slave and changing Injun to Indian won’t do anything to end racism and I do agree with that.
But, reframe this action with me, please. This is not about ending racism; this is about giving two fine pieces of literature continued life. This change makes it possible for all of our children of all races to enter into the story from where we are living today. I support this change if only for the fact that these words being changed is an entry point into having discussion about race in the United States!
Anyone who knows me knows just how important such discussions are to me and the building of a just future. Do we want to continue to move forward into a multi-racial, anti-racist future? Or don’t we?
Now you know what I think … what do you think?
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