What's that all about then.
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Huckleberry Finn and Removal of the N word...
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Posted 1 year ago #
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r u Glumpton ?
Posted 1 year ago # -
I think it's because no one in the book came from Nigg
Posted 1 year ago # -
redthunder - no I am not Glumpton.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Are you Penry, the mild mannered janitor?
Posted 1 year ago # -
So what are they going to call his faithful black lab before it gets run over?
Posted 1 year ago # -
My daughter corrected my singing of bah bah black sheep the other day. Apparently her nursery is teaching them bah bah White sheep.
Posted 1 year ago # -
It's part of a larger conspiracy to allow forum trolls around the world to have a little sex wee at the thought of all the fun they can have, unfortunately.........
Posted 1 year ago # -
j_me - this thread already has double the posts of the other one so therefor it becomes thee huck finn thread.
don simon - pelvic floor exercises should help with your incontinence - in the mean time try tena lady.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Probably for exactly the same reason that you felt you had to type the 'N word' on here.
I can see why the word nigger shouldn't be used in a general conversation and wouldn't use it myself, but the fact remains that is is a word that had been used throughout history and hasn't disappeared from existence. In the correct context, there is no reason that 6 letters making up a word shouldn't be typed. I hope that my use of the word within this paragraph isn't cause for offence, as it was in a textual context only.
Whether or not is should be used in a book that was written when the word was socially acceptable (but not necessarily right) is a tricky one. In the context of keeping the text of the book historically accurate, then yes I believe it should, however I can see the argument for removing it, as it's being used to describe a race of people in a derogatory manner - should this be allowed in current times?
I can see this post causing me some grief, as I'm not sure I've explained my point very well, but I'll endeavour to explain should I need to.
A tricky one.
Posted 1 year ago # -
IanMunro - Member
I think it's because no one in the book came from Nigg
Posted 1 year ago # -
don simon - pelvic floor exercises should help with your incontinence - in the mean time try tena lady.
Are you calling me a troll? Shame on you!
Posted 1 year ago # -
But Twain used the word because he wanted to highlight the attitudes towards negros. Much the same as the Alf Garnett character. You were laughing at him for his attitudes.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Don Simon is In Continent?
Well, he does live in Spain, so I spose it's technically true.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Who has decided this action should be taken?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Well, I think it is silly, I loved Mark Twain when I was a kid and I don't go around burning crosses. In context it is fine, in fact will likely add to the impact message of the book in contemporary culture.
However the hand wringing in the press is a bit silly and I reckon is just an excuse to use the N word and wind up both conservatives and liberals for extra bonus points. From my reading it is only some editions that will be censored, you can't put the words back in the box there are millions of copies of the book in circulation. Its not like folk are marching into libraries with petrol or anything.
Posted 1 year ago # -
yet!!!
They will once it drops below £1.30 a litre...
Posted 1 year ago # -
Slippery slope.
Posted 1 year ago # -
oldgit - Member
Who has decided this action should be taken?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Thin end of the wedge.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Agree with Druidh, Blazing saddles is another perfect example....
It amuses me that SOME people think that film was/is racist!!!!
Posted 1 year ago # -
I used to eat Robinsons jam and some of my best friends are...... Aaaah! Now I see.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The word was shocking then, but is shocking now in a completely different way.
Because it is in the original books it prevents millions of people being allowed to read them. The new edition means they can.
I dislike the use of the phrase "x word". It immediately places the substituted word in the mind of the reader/listener so what's the point?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Just checked the bookshelf, it's definitely still there. If I leave my door unlocked will someone come in and redact it?
Posted 1 year ago # -
No, use of that word doesn't prevent millions from reading the book, censorship does.
This is the classic liberal dilemna, I am against censorship but each case on it's own merits, I think the world would be better without the works of David Icke (the world is ruled by lizards guy) for example, but defend his right to say it and all that.
Anyway, there is far far worse stuff on t'internet and being shovelled down kids throats by their parents.
Posted 1 year ago # -
No, I don't think we should edit books in this manner: They are historical artifacts, and if we start editing them we are, in a way, editing history itself.
Edit: Why should the presence of the word "nigger" prevent
younger children reading the books? Surely this is an opportunity to educate the children as to the social and historical significance of this, and other, such words.Nothing has ever been solved by sweeping it under the carpet.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Might as well burn them.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I do find this interesting and it makes me uncomfortable in my liberalness.
The Dambusters film - Gibsons dog was called Nigger, the signal the raid was successfull was "nigger". This is history and cannot be changed - but it does make me cringe every time I hear it
Mark twains book used the language that was in use at the time. Many other books of the ear did as well. I am not sure the book should be changed - but if it is unacceptable in american schools with "nigger" in it then maybe
Posted 1 year ago # -
burn who?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Apparently Guy Gibsons dog in the remake of The Dambusters, is maybe going to be called Nigsy or Nidge. He called the dog by it's name 12 times in the original film, we'll have to wait for the release to see what they decide to do.
Posted 1 year ago # -
There are lots of books with reference to niggers in them are they all going to be reprinted?
By the way anyone else have a golly as a kid? My mum made mine from a pattern in the 60s
Posted 1 year ago # -
The Dambusters film - Gibsons dog was called Nigger, the signal the raid was successfull was "nigger". This is history and cannot be changed - but it does make me cringe every time I hear it
Well given the other historical inaccuracies in that film and the fact that the name of the dog is utterly irrelevant to the story it really doesn't raise and ire with me and marks those who complain about it as petty and small minded as those who initiated the change of name. Editing Mark Twain on the other hand is another matter entirely.
Posted 1 year ago # -
TandemJeremy - Member
Seriously?
The Dambusters film - Gibsons dog was called Nigger, the signal the raid was successfull was "nigger". This is history and cannot be changed - but it does make me cringe every time I hear itPosted 1 year ago # -
I wish Samuel Langhorne Clemens was still around to comment.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Seriously.
Would calling your dog nigger be acceptable now? It makes me cringe to be reminded of the attitudes that used to be accepted without question
Posted 1 year ago #
Topic Closed
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