The N-word

Mark Twain was great write and is credited with writing the greatest American novel of all time but in it he uses the N-word in it 219. Many people have taken offense to this because they feel like this word should never be used in a classroom setting or even discussed . As I disagree with this and think that with it being such a big part of the book that it should be discussed in class and if everyone was okay saying it and where mature enough to realize that it is just a word and that it was the kind of language they used back then

To Say or Not to Say

I would personally go with the third option with a little bit of qualification. I would still discuss the controversy, but in the context of explaining why we weren't going to say it in class. I have grown up being taught that the n-word is a bad word and that it shouldn't be said in any context, and likewise I would not want it said comfortably in my classroom. But, it would also bring up the interesting topic of curse words and how they are used in literature, if they serve any actual purpose, and what they do to the story and characters. Whether or not I give power to the n-word by not saying it, I believe it is better to not single out or alienate students the classroom.  

Huck Finn and the N-word

There is a reason for Twain's use of the N-word in Huck Finn. He didn't put the word into the book to offend people he put it there for multiple reasons, I don't know these reasons but I do know that Twain's purpose was not to offend people. With this said I would choose option 4. I would talk about it in class and have everyone share their beliefs around the word. If there was too much controversy and the students did not want to say it then we wouldn't say it but if everyone was okay with it then we would be reading it out loud and talking about it a lot. The N-word plays a major role in Huck Finn and its importance should not go unnoticed. The word appears in the book 219 times, if that doesn't tell you it's there for an important reason I don't know what will.

Oh for the love of controversy!

Oh gee! I'm a Lit teacher!! How amazing! 
If I had to teach my students about the novel Huckleberry Finn I would choose the fourth option which is:  You discuss the controversy, and both you and the students use the word. I feel like it is a very important part of the novel. It's not like it's there purely for the purpose of making people uncomfortable. The n-word has a very negative connotation with whites... But I don't think it's as negative to african americans using it. Like the man with the beard said, it's a term of endearment. If you're a bro, you're an n-word. 
I feel like the best way to handle this would be to discuss so everyone can get their feelings off their chest and be able to affect the way we read it. If there are too many problems we won't say the word. End of story. It's up to my students so that I don't put them in that awkward situation.  

Teaching the Controversy: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Picture it: the year is 2026. You have succeeded beyond your wildest dreams; you are the envy of your friends and neighbors: you are a high school American Literature teacher.

It's time to teach what is ostensibly the greatest American novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Excited as you are, you know that you are going to have to deal with the most controversial aspect of the novel--the use of the n-word, which appears 219 times. Here are some options:

1. You decide not to teach the book because it's offensive or because you want to avoid causing pain. For one such perspective, read this New York Times article by a law professor who argues we should not teach it.

2. You use New South Books' bowdlerized version, which replaces the offending word with "slave."

3. You leave it in the book but do not say it out loud and skip over it when reading aloud.

4. You discuss the controversy, and both you and the students use the word. 

What do you choose to do and why? Does your answer change depending on the makeup of the class (i.e., racial composition or high school vs. college)? It may help to think about this argument in terms of  logos, pathos, and ethos.

 

Each of the four options above reveals what your priorities are as a teacher. Think about what your top goals would be and which option would help you achieve them. And because I know you so well, I fully expect that you will come up with at least four other options that I haven't thought of yet!

The Fun Subject about Politics

Politics in my opinion is stupid, especially the ads. In each of the ads that were presented, 1. The Candidate tried to relate or make the people feel that they can trust this politician or idiot. 2. they are promising to do something that will never actually happen. 3. The repetition that is used in the ads. the use of repetition in the ads, is the key to success for these politicians. if they just say it a lot, people will just believe them. All the politicians did use the rhetorical techniques in their ads.

YES WE CAN (x2372003) WHAT?!

Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, and Barrack Obama certainly used different tactics, including emotional and logical appeals, to gain support. I don't think I would be so annoyed by a couple of these (remaining un-named for now) if all, or even the majority, of the people watching understood what it was these candidates were about. However, I have a very unsettling feeling that the basis for too many peoples' political views and decisions stem from these ads or other types of propaganda... 

     I was kind of confused watching Bernie Sanders' video because all I understand now is that he supports farmers, animals, and people screaming his name. There was absolutely zero information on how he intends to help our country and effect change for good. I don't even think there were any spoken words, or at least I don't remember any (but I'm not going to watch it again to make sure)... On the upside (for him), he certainly may appeal to farmers and some middle class people who know little to none about the state or needs of our nation and just want a president who seems nice and "helpful."

      Donald Trump's ad is definitely one that appeals to those who know more about politics and our need for ACTUAL beneficial change to be enforced. His ad is rather short, logically states his plans to help our country, and, though intense and mildly frightening, shows himself to be bold, dependable, and confident... And I'm pretty sure that's better than "nice" and "helpful" in regards to the person LEADING our country. However, Trump may not get the votes of those who know very little about politics and are just waiting for the CNN talk show to come back on so they can be told why the lower class is being ripped off and how Hillary Clinton is so strong for going through what she's going through. 

       And finally... Yes We Can WHAT, Obama?!? Divide people even more? Make people more dependent on government?? His ad appeals to emotions and uses celebrities and a pretty acoustic song to pull at the heart strings of its listeners. It uses pieces of his "YES WE CAN" speech, which is basically the repetition of those very words, and puts them into a song (the best obvious choice) which is sung by some well-known celebrities. Now, unlike Bernie Sanders', from Obama's ad, I actually can see that he supports "change," however, based on his ad, I am not quite sure WHAT that change is or HOW in the world he intends on making it happen. The use of words like "hope" and, let's not forget, "yes we can," make his supporters feel like he is a wonderful, understanding man who wants the best for the people of the world. If they knew all the facts, they would probably discover in him and his plans just the teeniest bit of tyranny, but most of his supporters don't know the facts... Instead, they are blinded by what the media shows them... a cool, hopeful president with all of the answers. 

     Though I may not know as much about politics as say my parents or probably many of my classmates, I do try to keep up with the happenings of our nation as much as I can, and I am hopeful for a president who will actually get things done to strengthen and unite America, rather than further separate our people and take away our position of power in the world. I didn't expect to have this much to say about these ads or these candidates, but there you have it!