Original version of Huckleberry Finn censored.

[DBOSHO]

*The*Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been*censored, found unfit historical literature for readers and rewritten. A new edition of*The*Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*omits a racial epithet that has caused controversy since the book took its place decades ago on the shelf of great American literature.** In place of the word n - - - - -, the word "slave" will be substituted in a combined edition of*Huckleberry Finn*and Tom Sawyer,*to be published next month by NewSouth Books.

Professor, Alan Gribben, of English at Auburn University-Montgomery, says his new edition is for readers who cannot get past the slur to take in the rest of the book — and thereby understand Twain's opposition to racism.

Both Banning and censoring books happens almost every week in the United States. Often people take notice of banned books, protest, and the banned is lifted. Sometimes nobody notices and the banned book stays lost to a school or country.* When a book is lost so is a piece of our history.

Censorship in all forms must be opposed in the United States; it is an old pastime and hobby of many without thought of preserving our literary history.

We, the people of United States, have a history.* We have been far from perfect, our thoughts, deeds, and written words have evolved.* The idea of loosing or out right changing our literary history is against The First Amendment that was adopted on December 15, 1791. The Amendment states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The American Revolution was not just a revolution of politics but also literature. The colonists published an abundance of newspaper articles, books, essays, and pamphlets in opposition to numerous**forms of British tyranny. Thomas Paine's Common Sense (1776) and Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence (1776) are two well-known and influential examples of revolutionary literature.*

In the spirit of our history do we want people rewriting our literature?* Is it better to pretend our literature history was written “politically correct” according to our standards?* Wouldn’t it be better to teach our children to read critically?* To not be controlled by books, movies, games... but to be able to think and speak with purpose about what they read, see or do. To learn and understand words and be able to discuss their meaning and improperness’ in today’s society.* Perhaps we might be better to honor and embrace our past literature, read it with our children.* Discuss it as a family and make an informed decision as a family of our values.

[Sannyasi]

I am against the bowdlerizing of a classic novel on principle, however I don't really see this being that big of an issue. Proper, uncensored versions of the novel will still be available, and even the people who choose to read the censored novel will know perfectly well they are getting the PC edition.

[morphius]

While I don't necessarily agree with the "censoring", the book is part of the public domain and any of us is free to do anything we want with it.

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by morphius

While I don't necessarily agree with the "censoring", the book is part of the public domain and any of us is free to do anything we want with it.

Beyond that (which makes it legal), there is clearly pent up demand for such a book. The publisher is making a very smart business decision. At least until 100 other publishers make the same move.

[nychief]

honestly... this is terrible... the book was controversial from the start, and the use of the n-word (man I hate that term) was done on purpose, to represent and illustrate mid-19th century speech and thought... Mark Twain is rolling in his grave. idiots.

[Chiefnj2]

When I first heard of this, I thought of the "pussification" Planet theory. Then, after reading through various posts and debates about it, I don't see the big deal. Non blacks are petrified to say the word. If you can't talk about it, or write it, or discuss it without causing a huge debate/risk your job/etc.,, then maybe it should be edited in written form as well.