Too much controversy

I would choose to leave it in the book but do not say it out loud and skip over it when reading, because the book does accurately portray the historical perspective back then. It is technically not a “bad word” but I still do not think we should say it because it is just as offensive as any other bad word. Although it does cause pain for certain people and I don't want to hurt people; but in reality there is so much darkness in the world that you cannot avoid. I don't think it was Mark Twain’s intention for the word to be so controversial in his book, but he obviously is opposed to slavery in the end which ties in with the word but at the same time it does not mean slave -> I would not completely change the word. I think that growth is something that is important in life and trying to censor the word out completely is sort of a stint in that it doesn't give a person the opportunity to mature. Do not get me wrong though, I do hope to keep one’s innocence and not say it. It is a good book that has more to it then just that word, and so we should still get the chance to read it but not say it since it is unnecessary to say. BUT necessary towards the context of the book, history, and reality.