Racism in This Day and Age
January 7, 2011Over the last several days there has been a lot of talk about racism in society. Well today while watching the news there was this story about the re-writing a literary classic by Mark Twain, “The Adventures of Huck Finn”. What I find most ridiculous about this is that the original was written in 1885 not that long after the American Civil War. The use of “nigger” was in common usage by whites at that time, While I feel that its wrong to use the word, its also in this case needs to be taken in the context of when it was written.
Something that I found interesting about this book in particular is that its one of the most banned books in the US Education system for Elementary and Junior High Schools. As someone who has a passion for books of any kind, this rewriting of this classic is just plain wrong. What I think that maybe this publisher is doing this to Appease certain groups and to me appeasement of any kind is just plain stupidity.
Messing with a classic is like modifying a newish Honda Civic or a Toyota Celica, which makes no sense at all to me. Mark Twain's work is like a slice of history, more respondent of the times then the actual history texts present.
I look at racism this way, while whites have been the predominate racist of yesteryear's today's racist comes in all colours and Nationalities. Racial Discrimination is brought about by how a person was raised or the environment they grew up in or how they are treated by others of differing cultures. I may not like to buy Chinese or Indian made products, does that make me racist? No it doesn't, why because I chose to buy items that are made elsewhere if I can help it. (This will be a topic of another Article and Video).
Racism today comes in many forms, but its how we react to it that makes the difference. How can we do that, well first off walk away if possible don't respond to it in any way or show any reaction. By doing that you will just show how stupid the person really is, to others that are around.
Posted by Philippe Cyr. Posted In : Political Correctnes