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Racism & censorship. overreacting?
I advise our HS newspaper and a student wanted to write an opinion about the recent censorship of "Huck Finn" by a publishing company. The school's diversity director found out, and censored us, but the part that enrages me is when she wrote this:
"In addition, another layer is that the article is written by a white student and though our opinion would still stand if the student was black, at least in that case it would be representing the perspective of someone from the group that has the strongest emotional response to that word."
So white people cannot write about racially sensitive issues because we are not the targets of racism?! Am I the only one that thinks this is crazy? How are we going to make any social progress if we only allow the racially targeted to address a racially sensitive issue?
Re: Racism & censorship. overreacting?
Ouch, that comment in itself is extremely racist.
I find it difficult to digest that we are trying to erase history by rewriting it in terms that are more socially exceptable. I find the word in question repulsive when used to its true meaning, but I also know that it is a part of our American history, that although shameful, is real. To change the word in the text is to pretend that it didn't happen.
That's just my opinion, but I am also white.
Egads. This woman is one of those knee-jerk crusaders, isn't she?
When I was interning at the Mark Twain House (back in 1996), this issue was HUGE. The education department (in which I worked) was trying to come up with some programs to help teachers teach the book and address the issue. I believe the basic stance is that to eliminate the word from the book: a) takes away the full import of what blacks and slaves experienced back then; and b) ignores the fact that the word was included in the book for realistic purposes and shows just how powerful words can be-- especially when looked at in combination with the deeds perpetrated in those words' spirit.
Lastly, it is FAR more controversial that Huck feels that to be true to his friend Jim, he has to make the choice to burn in Hell. Twain makes it very clear that Huck's teaching and the culture of the time implies that to free a slave and/or break the law to hide the slave and help him escape to freedom is a sin. What does that sentiment say about Christianity and morals?!?
Anyhow, I'll get down off my soapbox. But really-- that woman should read up on the actual arguments for and against expurgated versions of Huck Finn. Right now, she's kind of talking out her arse.
(I got so angry with her that I forgot to include:)
Yes, I'd be angry if I were you. Apparently, white people are not allowed to have an opinion and stand up for rascism anywhere against anyone.
Those silly civil rights activists in the 1960s who gave their lives to campaign for Civil Rights for blacks in the South didn't get the memo, I guess.
People suck sometimes. Well, actually, people suck a lot of times. That woman in particular. But what do I know? Im just a white girl.
What if the student was Latino, Chinese or Middle Eastern? Would it make a difference then? I agree that her comment was very racist.
Although I agree the N word is offensive, deleting it from books and pretending that it never happened is a surefire way of allowing history to repeat itself.
This is ridiculous. This is a wonderful opportunity for an adult dialogue amongst the students regarding a very sensitive issue. Why would you want to dumb down your student newspaper? Why not respect your students as people who have opinions and are learning how to respectfully share them with the world in appropriate forums? Crazy that the subject is censored, and particularly crazy that one of the reasons is that the opinion came from a white student, as if white students aren't entitled to think thoughtfully about this matter.
I would be very angry as well if I were you.
Bringing the writer's race into an argument for censoring the writer pushes it over the edge.
If the piece was well written and thoughtful it should be in the paper. Well written and thoughtful letters to the editor could then be accepted and published to open up a dialogue.
If we don't talk about it we can't learn about it.
That the censorship and racism came from the diversity director is shameful.
The woman is unfortunately someone who makes twice my salary for being, and I don't use this word lightly, stupid.
I lOVE your point here and may use it in my discussion with her and the headmaster this week!
Thanks you guys for all your support. I think the administration knows they/she goofed and today they are totally trying to backtrack, saying the Director of Diversity feels "misunderstood" (when it is 100% clear what her words say).