Maybe some editing of the Brothers' Grimm tales was necessary but what is being done to Huck Finn is taking it way too far.

Again, as long as they say abridged or edited by or something to that effect so people know it isn't the original in it's entirety, it's cool.

Hands up who read all of obi's rather long post? I didn't which goes to reinforce my point, it may be the greatest post ever posted, but it was too long and therefore not accessible to everyone (ie those with other things to do) better to have something shorter, more easily understood and accessible.

In my opinion - The 'N' word can be used legitimately on three occassions -

1) In the mouth of fictional characters, 2) when repoerting quotes from historical figures and 3) by black people themselves.

The same rules to be applied to all other racial slurs.

What about threads discussing the use of the word? Is it okay then?

@Fulhamish - Surely your 3rd case is, in itself, racist? Why should a phrase be off limits to one race and not another if we live in a society that preceaches equality.
@Manaic - I actually read it, do I get a prize?
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Having thought about it a bit more, and read some justifications for the changes, I have to say I agree with them. The book is on a number of banned lists because of the language it uses, and changing these words may be enough to remove it from there. At that point it just becomes a case of teaching it correctly.
Just as when studying Classical texts reference is made to the original word, and the slight differences between this and the translation used, so this should be seen as a translation of Finn into modern English.

As an aside, one of my friends is studying Huck for her English degree at the moment. I found this out Thursday night, told her about this, and she went ballistic :P

Hey 'squidge! - What? No response?

I provided my measured, educated(English Minor - U of T '84) opinion, as requested.

If that's the way you want it, then I'm going back under my bridge.....

Sorry mate, must have missed it - response coming up

@figelsquidge

I think that it is good to turn an insult against itself. The fans of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. like to chant Yid Army for instance, and wht not, given that club's historical support base?

Whereas, when the Chelsea fans chant 'Gas the Jews', and make a hissing noise while they do so, this is unquestionably racist.

I apologise to anyone who might be offended, but I wanted to find a different example.

Does anyone think a woman calling another woman a bitch has the same effect as a man using the word? Fulhammish is correct with #3. Of course, just because it's more acceptable doesn't mean it should be done.

I do know what you mean, and with the way people interpret things its certainly not worth taking a risk

So the n_____s can call their b______s h_____s?