'Huckleberry Finn' pulled from classes after parent complains

The Lansing State Journal ^ | November 3, 2006 | AP

[Stoat]

'Huckleberry Finn' pulled from classes after parent complains

Associated Press

 

TAYLOR - Mark Twain's classic "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" has been pulled from high school classes after a parent of a black student complained that a teacher had students read portions aloud.

There is only one black child in the English class where the book, which contains racial slurs, was read aloud and acted out, The Detroit News reported Thursday.

The book will remain on the shelves at Taylor School District's high schools. The district's curriculum committee will recommend to the school board whether the book should have a future in district classrooms.

"We want to be sensitive to how the children feel," said Lynette Sutton, assistant superintendent for secondary instruction.

The 1880s novel about a white boy's first-person account of his adventures along the Mississippi River with a runaway slave named Jim has long been controversial because of its use of racial slurs and its representations of blacks and women.

[Jorge]

I informed you that this book was being banned from HIGH SCHOOL classes, which the article clearly states. What say you?

They can read it on their FREE TIME.

BIG DEAL.

[supremedoctrine]

Well, it was probably a mistake to have the book READ OUT LOUD and ACTED OUT by the young children , which was part of this teacher's procedure. I can see why a black kid would get upset at hearing the N word over and over, spoken by his classmates.
I can't understand why the teacher did this. I remember DECADES ago, my high school doing a dramatized reading of Stephen Vincent Benet's JOHN BROWN'S BODY ( I played the voice of John Brown), which included the line "Nigger-business ain't White Folk's Business", and there was not an eye-blink in the whole school . We had exactly ONE black student, whose father was a minister in the only black church in the area---North suburban Chicago---this was a very highly rated high school just miles from where Hillary Clinton attended, and at exactly the same time.

[Jorge]

"You said mean things to me. You need to repent."

If you believe that I said "mean things" to you in that post, then you are implying that you are either a child, an animal, or mentally challenged. Pick one, or two, or all three.

YOU said these things NOT ME.

What's wrong with you?

Can't you talk to people you disagree with, WITHOUT these juvenile personal insults?

[Stoat]

Hello, I am Johnny's mother and I am so stupid I do not understand what this book is about so nobody else should be allowed to read it.

This perspective is not as rare as I had thought, unfortunately.

[Chena]

They can read it on their FREE TIME. BIG DEAL.

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I knew you could come up with an excuse if you tried real hard. Goodnight, Jorge. You're a real hoot.

[Chena]

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jorge]

If you believe that I said "mean things" to you in that post, then you are implying that you are either a child, an animal, or mentally challenged. Pick one, or two, or all three.

"IF" I "BELIEVE"?

You said these mean things and continue to say them.

As far as "mentally challenged" goes, I graduated FIRST in my College class with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

What were your grades?

[Chena]

Goodnight, Stoat. Thank you for this thread. I know that sensible folks know that banning Huckleberry Finn from these classes is wrong. :)

[Jorge]

I knew you could come up with an excuse if you tried real hard.

"excuse" for WHAT?

What are you talking about?

Can't you articulate a coherent argument?

[Chena]

You're out of your league, Jorge. Put your toys away and go to bed.

[Jorge]

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chena has obviously gone off his/her/it's meds. And it isn't a pretty sight.

[Jorge]

I kicked your butt in this thread and you know it.

Go slink away now. Coward.

[Stoat]

I can't understand why the teacher did this.

Considering that this was done at the high school level, a talented teacher could have provided appropriate context to frame the scene properly, but if it had just been read 'cold' with no introduction then there can be problems, particularly when it's very likely a matter of the parent having zero familiarity or true understanding of the work either.

 

[Jorge]

You're out of your league, Jorge.

Are you trying to make me laugh on purpose or what?

Still can't come up with a coherent argument can you?

Stil reduced to posting more of your boring infantile insults.

I don't blame you.

I wouldn't want to be stuck with defending your weak arguments either.

[FlingWingFlyer]

I'm not "joking."

Only a racist pinhead would think Mark Twain should be removed from our schools.

[Stoat]

Goodnight, Stoat. Thank you for this thread. I know that sensible folks know that banning Huckleberry Finn from these classes is wrong. :)

Goodnight Chena, sleep well   :-)

[Jorge]

you are implying that you are either a child, an animal, or mentally challenged. Pick one, or two, or all three.

It's really sad that you've been reduced to posting these kinds of personal insults to your fellow Freepers.

Simply because you are not able to articulate a coherent argument to what they've posted.

I truly feel sorry for you. You only degrade yourself.

[Jorge]

Only a racist pinhead would think Mark Twain should be removed from our schools.

Right.

Not only should children be forced to read racial slurs, but the superior intellects also call those who disagree "pinheads".

I feel sorry for you.

[Chena]

Awwwww, that is such a cute picture! My elderly cat (almost 14 years old now) looked just like that when she was a kitten. In spite of the fact that I have always allowed her to go outside when she chooses to, she has survived the wilds of Alaska. Many don't.

See you 'round the threads, Stoat. :)

[FlingWingFlyer]

It's people like you that have made one of MY favorite books, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. That my friend is where we are heading. It's the old camel's nose gig.