Sigh...
What's really a shame about this is that TAoHB contains what is probably the most powerful anti-racism scene in any novel in the English language.
Huck, the eternal scoundrel, happens to end up on the run with the runaway slave Jim. Because of the times he grew up in, Huck had always been taught that slavery was right and proper. At one point Huck tries to turn his life around by doing the "right" thing for a change, and starts writing a letter telling people where to find the runaway Jim. But finally he thinks of all the times that Jim was good to him, and how "human" Jim seemed, and he can't go through with it:
...and then I happened to look around and see that paper.It's one thing to do the right thing when everyone and God are encouraging you to do it. But it's another thing entirely to be noble enough to see and do the right thing even when everyone else, including God they say, is against it and you think you're destroying yourself by doing so.It was a close place. I took it up, and held it in my hand. I was a-trembling, because I'd got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself:
"All right, then, I'll go to hell" -- and tore it up.
It was awful thoughts and awful words, but they was said. And I let them stay said; and never thought no more about reforming.
I'm always in awe of that scene.
Anyone who thinks that Huck Finn is anti-black, rather than in favor of the humanity of all people, including N---- Jim, is as dumb as a sack of hammers. The parents who are making this claim should be required to READ the book, and then bring in a book report on it.
Congressman Billybob
Latest article, now up FR, "Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies."
Aren't we all? I guess not. Thanks for posting this.