The dilemma of Tom Sawyer and the N word
Cats: culture, words|The other night I was merrily reading Adventures of Tom Sawyer to the little typists. It’s good stuff, very funny and a great read.
But then I stumbled upon THAT word. I stopped and made the snap decision to read the word out loud.
Then, all hell broke lose. The little typists were shocked and they admonished me for using such filthy racist language. I was pleasantly surprised by their outrage. They are 11 and nine.
So we had the chat. The book was published in 1876 but it was based on Mark Twain’s memories of growing up in the South in the 1840s when racism was still rife.
I chose to read the N-word “as is” to show them how racism was deployed, even by fun likable people like Tom Sawyer. I wanted them to understand that people used that word and still do. I wanted them to see that racism still exists, sometimes it comes from fun likable people they know.
So, should I have changed the word to something else – like say “tiger? I certainly would have changed the word if I thought they were too young to understand a concept like racism. But I felt they were mature enough to have the chat.
Is it right to use N-word to educate people about racism? Or are we perpetuating it by using it?
Someone else blogged about this awhile back. I can’t recall who it was. If you see this, let me know your thoughts.
March 6th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
The other alternative is censorship, which I don’t agree with. I say read it as-is. It was written in a completely different time. It’s important to remember things the way they were. What’s that saying about those who don’t remember history will be doomed to repeat it?
March 6th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I think it’s important to read the book as written. It reflects the time and what the author wanted to convey. Otherwise, as BeckEye said, it’s censorship.
March 6th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
For various reasons, the N word has re-emerged in my part of California. Part of it was brought on by Chris Rock et. al., black comedians who use the word in public about other black people. Another bit though is that there’s a whole mini-teen culture called the “hicks”. They listen to country music, wear blue jeans, and put conferate flags on everything. None of them have any connection to the south, but all of them are white.
I do think it’s appropriate in Twain and should be read as is, but explained if it’s being read with children. IT’s not exactly the word itself, it’s the sentiment behind it.
March 6th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I remember going through the same dilemna when my kids were little. What we did was, I prefaced the reading with the discussion of racism, the use of the N-word being a reflection of the times in which the book was written. We talked, and then I read out loud, and it was fine.
I don’t think you help defeat racism in the present or future by censoring it out of the past.
March 6th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
BeckEye, that was my instinct. I tried to explain the thinking of the time, but I felt dirty saying the word.
Beth, There are so many timeless aspects in this story and you relate to the character and then all of a sudden he whacks you with this 150 year old racism. Suddenly you don’t like Tom so much anymore.
Chance, yes I’ve heard of the whole “taking back the word” movement. Some feminists do this with the c-word. Like you say, it’s not the word itself but the ideas imbued in it. Separating the two is hard.
Hicks? Really? Like neo-recknecks? Are the really racist or just doing the style.
Hi Bubs, welcome to GT, BTW.
That was my mistake. I should have had the talk before we started reading. I’d sort of forgotten and then all of a sudden there it was.
March 6th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I think you made the right decision. I would have read it as-is too.
March 6th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I think it is important to read it as is. Pretending that the word never existed doesn’t prepare the kids for what is in the world or help them understand how things were, how they are and how they should be. It is they way people spoke at that time. We can’t erase history and we shouldn’t try.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
You used the opportunity perfectly to launch a discussion about racism. Educators would call that a teachable moment, so I think you can add teacher to your already considerable cv.
March 8th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Chelene, thanks, it’s a tough call.
H n P, I guess you can’t change history so you should try to hide it.
BB, it was a good conversation, after they finished lecturing me. Why is it that my MA in Education never seems to prepare me for these moments.
March 8th, 2008 at 9:17 am
There was an article about this very thing on The National last evening and how rap groups are using the word. One black artist said he discontinued using the word in his lyrics after he was performing at a concert and all the white fans were singing along with him, of course using the word as it was part of the song. Lots of discussion both in favour and opposed. It’s a hard call.
March 14th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Yes, it’s like Chance said, it’s the spirit in which it’s used. If you assign your own definition to the word and it suits you, then I supposed it’s ok. Tom sawyer’s definition wasn’t attractive
March 15th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Obviously, we’re all brilliant and agree that you did the right thing. Not only are you a gifted typist but a gifted thinker and reader as well.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Ahhhhhhh dale…. thanks