New 'Huckleberry Finn' Edited For Language

American Voices • education • ISSUE 47•01 • Jan 6, 2011

A new edition of the Mark Twain classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, forthcoming next month from NewSouth Books, will replace every use of the word "nigger" with the word "slave." What do you think?

“In my classroom, we replace every use of the word ‘slave’ with ‘nigger.’ The only reason I haven't been fired is because no one wants to be a teacher." ”
Quentin King –
Teacher
“Oh, please. I thought of that years ago when I took a ballpoint pen and replaced every instance of the word ‘rape’ in The Color Purple with ‘unfortunate sexual happening.’” ”
Victor Duprix –
Hair Stylist
“Wait, is that what that word means? I've been using it all wrong."”
Sara Graham –
Dental Receptionist

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