No matter how much we want to erase the injustices and horrors of the past, we can’t.  Changing something on the surface does not change what lies below.  I am enraged by the audacity of Alan Gribben, a Twain scholar, to think that the book needs to be “cleansed” of it’s depiction of American racism.  Gribben argues (as noted on many a news sites) that the N-word (sorry, I can’t write it–personal feelings, but not being able to personally say it or write it did not keep me from reading Huck Finn) keeps the book from being enjoyed more.  So lets make it all nice and pretty.  I’m not a Twain scholar, but I do have a BA and MA in English and have studies more than my fair share of American Literature.  I’m pretty confident that if Twain had wanted to use the word “slave” instead of the “n-word” that he would have.  I am appalled that someone has the hubris to think that they can determine what Twain (or any other author for that matter) intended.  I also find it suspect that Gribben is white and that no one of prominence (academic or otherwise) who is African American has called for the removal of the word.

Erasing this word, forever changes the book and it’s powerful impact on Americans and our history.  This decision/move can really be used to sum up the problems that exist in this country around issues of race, privilege and oppression.  Until we are able to confront racism and privilege (Gribben is operating from a significantly privileged position), we cannot move forward and begin to break down the barriers and institution practices that exist to privilege on group over another.  This white-washing of history is done out of a need to self-preserve the status quo and perpetuate the idea that if we don’t talk about race or racism–it doesn’t actually exist.  The only (well, one of many) problems with this is that covering up or prettying up history only keeps racism alive and erases the experiences of groups that were once and still are marginalized and under-served.

Gribben misses the mark on this one.  What should happen is that Huck Finn should be taught more as it and we should begin to try to have some serious conversations about race.  I abhor the N-word.  Because I understand the history of that word and what it once stood (can still stand) for.  I have taught Huck Finn at most African American high schools and the conversations are always rich.  I never make the students read the work–it’s not about saying it but about addressing the issues that the use itself raises both historically and currently. It offers an interesting juxtaposition of current use vs. historical use.

I will certainly not buy this edition and when my children are old enough they will read the original un-cleansed version.  If history is ignored it is bound to be repeated.