Minnesota

TexasTowelie

(116,789 posts) Sat Feb 10, 2018, 10:39 PM Feb 2018

Duluth school district drops 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' 'Huckleberry Finn' over racial slurs

Two classic American novels will no longer be required reading in eastern Minnesota schools because they contain racial slurs.

"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" will be dropped from the Duluth school district's English classes next year. School officials said the move is part of an effort to be considerate to all students, particularly students of color.

District Director of Curriculum and Instruction Michael Cary told the Star Tribune that the decision follows years of concerns shared by parents, students and community groups.

The controversy over the two classic novels has been debated in school districts across the country.

Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/ct-duluth-schools-classic-books-20180210-story.html

8 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Duluth school district drops 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' 'Huckleberry Finn' over racial slurs (Original Post) TexasTowelie Feb 2018 OP

Brilliant way to fight racism. Pope George Ringo II Feb 2018 #1

That's just stupid. The Velveteen Ocelot Feb 2018 #2

They should focus on the book, not the words. no_hypocrisy Feb 2018 #3

Great literature... Rollo Feb 2018 #4

If it's hurtful for students of color to read, I support this. WhiskeyGrinder Feb 2018 #5

If it's hurtful then the books aren't being presented properly dflprincess Feb 2018 #6

Reading the n-word 200+ times as part of an assignment is hurtful no matter how you teach it. WhiskeyGrinder Feb 2018 #7

Sticking your head in the sand.... the_sly_pig Feb 2018 #8

Pope George Ringo II

(1,896 posts)

1. Brilliant way to fight racism.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sat Feb 10, 2018, 10:43 PM

Feb 2018

This one surfaces every so often, and it doesn't get any smarter with each new repetition.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(120,858 posts)

2. That's just stupid.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sat Feb 10, 2018, 10:45 PM

Feb 2018

no_hypocrisy

(48,794 posts)

3. They should focus on the book, not the words.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sat Feb 10, 2018, 10:55 PM

Feb 2018

Rollo

(2,559 posts)

4. Great literature...

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sat Feb 10, 2018, 10:57 PM

Feb 2018

...tainted by its time and Twain's realism...

I wonder if his works could be taught with words more acceptable today, such as "brother"?

But of course such substitution could not erase the horror of the slave system he described.