Society is trying

to remove n-word

Nobody is excited about “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” in today’s new and energized culture. The Renton School District needs to move up to the new era of using culturally competent materials in the classroom due to the extreme diversity of our country. Every facet of society is trying to remove the word “nigger” from the forefront of our vocabulary due to its nasty history and purpose and the school systems should be eager to participate. Last summer the NAACP did a mock burial of the word itself, and even the hip-hoppers went under pressure to cease the use of that nasty little word.

Teacher Linda Hampton’s comments about a lengthy discussion of the word “nigger,” and that it “enriches all the students and helped them better understand each other” sickened me, especially since most of the students at Hazen High School are white. She also noted that the book is “reflective of the time in which it was written.” Well, we are now in the 21st century and the book is no longer relevant. Obviously Ms. Hampton is not aware that the Huck Finn book has been on a list of books to be banned for years and has been banned in many places. That does not indicate “a few trying to decide for many,” which she stated “disturbed” her. What disturbs me are teachers like Linda Hampton being so in love with a book that profusely uses a racial slur that they are determined to “fight” to keep it in the school system. Wonder if she would feel the same way if the book degraded her race (Caucasian).

Kyeima Smith

Renton