Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Reflection 3.1
I wrote my Rogerian Argument about illegal Mexican immigrants. I liked how I had to research both sides of the argument. I presented a very pathos driven beginning presenting the other side's argument of: why we should allow illegal immigrants to stay. The research I did for this paper was very strong and I was able to gather a lot of credible information and statistics. I was able to support my argument against illegal Mexican immigrants coming to America because they can bring disease and crime here if they come illegally. I don't know if I presented the compromise clearly or if I should add to the compromise or not.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Rogerian Argument Rough Draft 3.1
Rebecca Moran
Professor Henderson
Academic Writing
30 March 2011
Should America Keep Allowing Illegal Mexican Immigrants into the US?
Mexico and the United States have had a long history together in terms of economics, politics, and social interactions. This should be no surprise since Mexico shares a 2000 mile border with the US. Immigration is currently the most conflict-ridden issue in the U.S.-Mexican relationship. Many illegal Mexican immigrants come to America in search for a better life for them and their families. Some argue that the Mexican immigrants are in search for the “American Dream”, which a Yale graduate American writer and historian, James Truslow Adams brilliantly defined in his book, The Epic of America, as: “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement". One may claim that illegal Mexican immigrants are in search for an answer to their prayers to break the bonds of poverty and to improve the lives of their loved ones.
For many generations, Mexicans have illegally crossed the border into the United States due to its close proximity and the undeniable difference of the quality of life between the two countries. The growth of the Mexican population in the U.S. has been exponential in recent years. In 1970, about 800,000 Mexican citizens lived in the United States. Thirty-plus years later, there are ten million, about half in undocumented status. The surge in the 1990’s, was particularly astonishing, increasing by an estimated 300-400,000 per year (Davidow par 10).
The drastic increase in number of Mexican immigrants to the US in the early 1990’s was due to the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, or NAFTA. NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. Mexico received a large increase in foreign investment due to the promising vision of NAFTA. However, after the assassination of the Mexican presidential candidate, Luis Donalso Colosio, there were signs that Mexico’s economy was not as profoundly strong as it had once appeared (Villarreal 3). By December 1994, there was a desperate plunge in Mexico’s currency to about 50% (Villarreal 4). This dismal plunge sent Mexico into a terrible succession.
Mexico’s economic succession of 1994 has led to a great increase in its poverty levels. In 2008, the extreme poverty rate was 18% and those living in moderate poverty were at a shocking 47% (Villarreal 5). The Mexican government defines extreme poverty as those living on less than $1.50 a day in rural areas and less $2.00 a day in urban areas. Moderate poverty is defined as living on less than $2.70 a day in rural areas and $4.00 a day in urban areas (Villarreal 6). With these facts and statistics it is no wonder why so many Mexicans want to come to the US.
Many individuals come from poverty-stricken towns in Mexico and come to the US with the desire to create a better life. In the scholarly journal, “It is the Only Way I Can Survive” by Phyllis L. Baker, she interviewed an illegal Mexican immigrant, Amelia, and Amelia stated, “I know that I’m doing something wrong, that it’s illegal with the government, but it is the only way that I can survive here. I have to work and take care of my children” (Baker 393). The pressure of being a good parent and providing a better life for their children is a weight that almost every parent bears. They are looking to survive in this harsh world.
Even though there are illegal immigrants who come to the US with cordial intentions, one should not overlook the risks that the illegal Mexican immigrants place upon the lives of American citizens. Illegal immigrants, unlike those who are legally admitted for permanent residence, do not undergo medical screening to assure that they are not carrying contagious diseases (FAIR par 2). According to Dr. Laurence Nickey, director of the El Paso heath district:
“Contagious diseases that are generally considered to have been controlled in the United States are readily evident along the border ... The incidence of tuberculosis in El Paso County is twice that of the U.S. rate. Leprosy is readily evident along the U.S.-Mexico border and that dysentery is several times the U.S. rate ... People have come to the border for economic opportunities, but the necessary sewage treatment facilities, public water systems, environmental enforcement, and medical care have not been made available to them, causing a severe risk to health and well-being of people on both sides of the border” (FAIR par 3).
Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report titled "Trends in Tuberculosis Incidence - United States" stating that the number of tuberculosis cases among foreign-born persons in the US increased in 2006, and approximately half came from five countries, and Mexico was the leader with 1,912 reported cases (FAIR par 4). Tuberculosis is a contagious disease caused by mycobacteria, which can spread through the air. Tuberculosis can often lead to death. Immigrants who come to the US unchecked are placing Americans at a great risk of very harmful diseases, such as Tuberculosis. When they do not abide by the law and come to the US legally, they risk the lives of American citizens.
The US is a nation that was built upon laws, and the laws are put into place for the well-being of its citizens. When the illegal Mexican immigrants enter the US unchecked, then police and government officials have no way of keeping track of them, and this can be very dangerous for the well-being of Americans. There have been many cases where illegal Mexican immigrants who have come to the US and committed serious crimes. For example, the rape and murder of a 15 year old American girl from Texas named Dani Countryman was traced back to 2 illegal Mexican immigrants, Alejandro Emeterio Rivera Gamboa and Gilberto Javier Arellano Gamboa (Illegal par 1,2). William Gheen from Americans for Legal Immigration Political Action Committee, or ALIPAC, stated:
"Dani Countryman is dead because our government failed to secure our borders and enforce our existing immigration laws. The suspects in this case were shown, by our state and federal governments, that they could break many American laws without any serious penalties. It is no wonder that many illegal aliens escalate their crimes into the realms of rape and murder. How many more Americans must suffer or die before our nation takes action" (Illegal par 4)?
This crime was very serious and could have been prevented. Imagine if your daughter, sister, friend, or cousin was raped and murdered by two illegal immigrant men. You would go through great lengths to make sure something as tragic as this would never happen again. You would make sure that no man or woman got into America illegally, so crimes as foul as rape and murder are prevented.
The idea of the American Dream is rooted in pursuit of happiness by abiding by the law of the Constitution. America was built on the idea of assimilation and integration of various cultures. Americans want foreign people to come here and be a part of the American tradition, as long as it is done through legal means. The legality of immigration is very important to the health and safety of the American people. Mexicans are crossing the border everyday illegally, some come with good intentions to create a better life for their families, but some Mexicans do bring deadly disease and serious crime into the US. The US should do a better job at patrolling the boarders and making sure that no one enters with potential health problems or any criminal background. Mexicans should try to come to America legally and want to become an American citizen and assimilate into this great “melting pot”, where people from everywhere around the world, with different cultures, customs, and backgrounds come and consider themselves one nation under that star-spangled banner.
Works Cited
Baker, Phyllis L.. ""It's the Only Way I Can Survive": Gender Paradox Among Recent Mexicana Immigrants to Iowa." University of California Press 47.4 (2004): 393. Print.
Davidow, Ambassador Jeffrey. "Immigration, the United States and Mexico." Mexico news and opinion. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2011.
"FAIR: Illegal Immigration and Public Health." FAIR: Federation for American Immigration Reform. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2011.
"Illegal Aliens with Prior Charges Murder 15 year old Texas Girl." Public Records Research and Title Abstracting. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2011.
Villarreal, M. Angeles . "NAFTA and the Mexican Economy." Congressional Research Service 1 (2010): 3-6. Print.
Professor Henderson
Academic Writing
30 March 2011
Should America Keep Allowing Illegal Mexican Immigrants into the US?
Mexico and the United States have had a long history together in terms of economics, politics, and social interactions. This should be no surprise since Mexico shares a 2000 mile border with the US. Immigration is currently the most conflict-ridden issue in the U.S.-Mexican relationship. Many illegal Mexican immigrants come to America in search for a better life for them and their families. Some argue that the Mexican immigrants are in search for the “American Dream”, which a Yale graduate American writer and historian, James Truslow Adams brilliantly defined in his book, The Epic of America, as: “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement". One may claim that illegal Mexican immigrants are in search for an answer to their prayers to break the bonds of poverty and to improve the lives of their loved ones.
For many generations, Mexicans have illegally crossed the border into the United States due to its close proximity and the undeniable difference of the quality of life between the two countries. The growth of the Mexican population in the U.S. has been exponential in recent years. In 1970, about 800,000 Mexican citizens lived in the United States. Thirty-plus years later, there are ten million, about half in undocumented status. The surge in the 1990’s, was particularly astonishing, increasing by an estimated 300-400,000 per year (Davidow par 10).
The drastic increase in number of Mexican immigrants to the US in the early 1990’s was due to the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, or NAFTA. NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. Mexico received a large increase in foreign investment due to the promising vision of NAFTA. However, after the assassination of the Mexican presidential candidate, Luis Donalso Colosio, there were signs that Mexico’s economy was not as profoundly strong as it had once appeared (Villarreal 3). By December 1994, there was a desperate plunge in Mexico’s currency to about 50% (Villarreal 4). This dismal plunge sent Mexico into a terrible succession.
Mexico’s economic succession of 1994 has led to a great increase in its poverty levels. In 2008, the extreme poverty rate was 18% and those living in moderate poverty were at a shocking 47% (Villarreal 5). The Mexican government defines extreme poverty as those living on less than $1.50 a day in rural areas and less $2.00 a day in urban areas. Moderate poverty is defined as living on less than $2.70 a day in rural areas and $4.00 a day in urban areas (Villarreal 6). With these facts and statistics it is no wonder why so many Mexicans want to come to the US.
Many individuals come from poverty-stricken towns in Mexico and come to the US with the desire to create a better life. In the scholarly journal, “It is the Only Way I Can Survive” by Phyllis L. Baker, she interviewed an illegal Mexican immigrant, Amelia, and Amelia stated, “I know that I’m doing something wrong, that it’s illegal with the government, but it is the only way that I can survive here. I have to work and take care of my children” (Baker 393). The pressure of being a good parent and providing a better life for their children is a weight that almost every parent bears. They are looking to survive in this harsh world.
Even though there are illegal immigrants who come to the US with cordial intentions, one should not overlook the risks that the illegal Mexican immigrants place upon the lives of American citizens. Illegal immigrants, unlike those who are legally admitted for permanent residence, do not undergo medical screening to assure that they are not carrying contagious diseases (FAIR par 2). According to Dr. Laurence Nickey, director of the El Paso heath district:
“Contagious diseases that are generally considered to have been controlled in the United States are readily evident along the border ... The incidence of tuberculosis in El Paso County is twice that of the U.S. rate. Leprosy is readily evident along the U.S.-Mexico border and that dysentery is several times the U.S. rate ... People have come to the border for economic opportunities, but the necessary sewage treatment facilities, public water systems, environmental enforcement, and medical care have not been made available to them, causing a severe risk to health and well-being of people on both sides of the border” (FAIR par 3).
Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report titled "Trends in Tuberculosis Incidence - United States" stating that the number of tuberculosis cases among foreign-born persons in the US increased in 2006, and approximately half came from five countries, and Mexico was the leader with 1,912 reported cases (FAIR par 4). Tuberculosis is a contagious disease caused by mycobacteria, which can spread through the air. Tuberculosis can often lead to death. Immigrants who come to the US unchecked are placing Americans at a great risk of very harmful diseases, such as Tuberculosis. When they do not abide by the law and come to the US legally, they risk the lives of American citizens.
The US is a nation that was built upon laws, and the laws are put into place for the well-being of its citizens. When the illegal Mexican immigrants enter the US unchecked, then police and government officials have no way of keeping track of them, and this can be very dangerous for the well-being of Americans. There have been many cases where illegal Mexican immigrants who have come to the US and committed serious crimes. For example, the rape and murder of a 15 year old American girl from Texas named Dani Countryman was traced back to 2 illegal Mexican immigrants, Alejandro Emeterio Rivera Gamboa and Gilberto Javier Arellano Gamboa (Illegal par 1,2). William Gheen from Americans for Legal Immigration Political Action Committee, or ALIPAC, stated:
"Dani Countryman is dead because our government failed to secure our borders and enforce our existing immigration laws. The suspects in this case were shown, by our state and federal governments, that they could break many American laws without any serious penalties. It is no wonder that many illegal aliens escalate their crimes into the realms of rape and murder. How many more Americans must suffer or die before our nation takes action" (Illegal par 4)?
This crime was very serious and could have been prevented. Imagine if your daughter, sister, friend, or cousin was raped and murdered by two illegal immigrant men. You would go through great lengths to make sure something as tragic as this would never happen again. You would make sure that no man or woman got into America illegally, so crimes as foul as rape and murder are prevented.
The idea of the American Dream is rooted in pursuit of happiness by abiding by the law of the Constitution. America was built on the idea of assimilation and integration of various cultures. Americans want foreign people to come here and be a part of the American tradition, as long as it is done through legal means. The legality of immigration is very important to the health and safety of the American people. Mexicans are crossing the border everyday illegally, some come with good intentions to create a better life for their families, but some Mexicans do bring deadly disease and serious crime into the US. The US should do a better job at patrolling the boarders and making sure that no one enters with potential health problems or any criminal background. Mexicans should try to come to America legally and want to become an American citizen and assimilate into this great “melting pot”, where people from everywhere around the world, with different cultures, customs, and backgrounds come and consider themselves one nation under that star-spangled banner.
Works Cited
Baker, Phyllis L.. ""It's the Only Way I Can Survive": Gender Paradox Among Recent Mexicana Immigrants to Iowa." University of California Press 47.4 (2004): 393. Print.
Davidow, Ambassador Jeffrey. "Immigration, the United States and Mexico." Mexico news and opinion. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2011.
"FAIR: Illegal Immigration and Public Health." FAIR: Federation for American Immigration Reform. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2011.
"Illegal Aliens with Prior Charges Murder 15 year old Texas Girl." Public Records Research and Title Abstracting. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2011.
Villarreal, M. Angeles . "NAFTA and the Mexican Economy." Congressional Research Service 1 (2010): 3-6. Print.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Reflection 2.2
I was very pleased with my final product of my paper. I was able to incorporate a scholarly source well. I added more reliable sources to my paper, which I believe made it a lot stronger and more persuasive. I was very pleased with my classmates comments on the paper and I made some changes to my paper and it made my paper flow nicely. An important aspect that I added to the paper were transition sentences. Once I added these, I was able to see what a difference they made and how much better the paper sounded. I liked getting my paper work shopped. The comments made me see my strengths and improve on some weaknesses.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Prewriting for Essay 3
I am not completely sure what I want to write about yet. I am thinking about writing about illegal Mexicans in the US. I could include information on the AZ bill. I might like to start off nicely and state some stories or claims of those who think that illegal Mexicans should be able to stay in the US, and then ease my way into the bad effects it has on the US and then state my delayed claim.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Rebuttal 2.2
Rebecca Moran
Professor Henderson
Academic Writing
2 March 2011
Censorship of the American Classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Is
Absolutely Not the Answer
Should any person change Michelangelo’s painting in the Sistine Chapel, or Rodin’s world famous sculpture, The Thinking Man, or even Leonardo Divinci’s masterpiece, The Mona Lisa? The answer would be absolutely not. The censorship of the American classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, is comparable and is completely wrong. This American classic should be considered a work of art that should never be altered, but the argument of its censorship is a hot topic of debate today. The Lufkin Daily News published an editorial on January 6, 2011 titled: “Huck Fin: Censorship? Sure, it is, but Changes to ‘Huckleberry Finn’ Are Warranted. In this editorial, the authors claim that the word “nigger” should be replaced with the word “slave”, so that younger children are able to read it. The Lufkin Daily News is correct that the language in this novel is not appropriate for younger children, but the book was not written for that particular audience. Mark Twain is an amazing and gifted author who is able to take the reader on a journey back in time and see the reality of the American culture in the 1800s. By altering Twain’s writing, one would be robbing the reader of a potentially life-changing experience.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was published in 1884, only 19 years after the Civil War ended (Twain par.4). Since the novel’s publication the novel is one of the most frequently read pieces of literature in America, second in frequency to Shakespeare (Carey-Webb 22). It is the most taught book and is required in 70% of public high schools. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered to be a “staple form junior high to graduate school” (Carey-Webb 22). This novel is a key source of American literature, but even at the beginning of the novel’s publication, it stirred up much controversy. A month after its publication many libraries banned the book, calling it "tawdry" and its narrative voice "coarse" and "ignorant" (Twain par. 4). In the 1950s, the novel had strong criticism due to its racial content. In Arizona in 1988, a parent sued her school district, claiming: “that making Twain's novel required high school reading made already existing racial tensions even worse” (Twain par. 4) . Even through all this fiery debate, the novel has remained unchanged, and for good reason. There are many who realize the importance and significance of the novel’s content. Twain was not writing in a disrespectful way by any means, but rather he was displaying the cruel cold reality of America back in the days of slavery. Twain was able to display most perfectly the intolerance, injustice, suppression, and the ignorance that was demonstrated by many white people against people of color. It is through his descriptions that the reader is able to get a taste of the harsh reality during this troubled time period. By eliminating word ”nigger”, which in retrospect was used quite often, the reader does not get the full experience Twain was trying convey to his audience.
Since The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn depicted most vividly the grim life of a slave, it was not previously or presently intended for a young audience. The authors of the Lufkin Daily News editorial stated: “The Twain books are too important to be shelved, which is what’s happening. The new versions, for those readers who prefer them, or for lower level grades in our schools, are appropriate” (Huck par.3). This statement does not acknowledge that the Mark Twain’s audience includes adults who are able to understand and interpret Twain’s message in an appropriate fashion. The books are only being shelved from those who are not fit to read it, but older children and adults continue to read the American classic. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is inarguably an advanced text. How many children are actually reading and fully understanding the content of Mark Twain novels? This literary masterpiece was not written with the intent of young children reading it. Upon the novel’s first publication, a librarian wrote to Mark Twain asking him to defend his books. Twain responded to her with confidence:
"I am greatly troubled by what you say. I wrote 'Tom Sawyer' & 'Huck Finn' for adults exclusively, & it always distressed me when I find that boys and girls have been allowed access to them. The mind that becomes soiled in youth can never again be washed clean. I know this by my own experience, and to this day I cherish an unappeased bitterness against the unfaithful guardians of my young life, who not only permitted but compelled me to read an unexpurgated Bible through before I was 15 years old. None can do that and ever draw a clean sweet breath again on this side of the grave” (Paine 813).
Twain states clearly that he did not write this story for children and did not have any intent of “soiling” the minds of children. He wrote this novel for the adult audience; if Twain wished for children to read the novel then he would have made the text much simpler with less vulgar language. It is not the right of others to change Twain’s words in his story.
Although The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was not written for children, it can still be considered a very important source of knowledge for young adults today. The book should not be censored to older students who are able to discuss it in a sophisticated, understanding, and respectful way. Marcus Tullius Cicero, a well-respected Roman writer, speaker, philosopher and politician (106-43BC), once brilliantly stated, “Not to know what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child” (Thorp par.4). Here, Cicero meant that if one does not learn from the past then they are considered to be ignorant, just like a child. By censoring The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, we are depriving young adults of a very valuable lesson. We must allow them to read this book and allow them to get swept off into a world full of ignorance and injustice. It is when the reader is able to feel these emotions that they are able to learn from the failures of America’s past and strive for a brighter future. Through this novel, they learn that the language and treatment of the people of color was undeniably wrong. By observing the wrongs of past American society, people can learn how to make things right here and now and in the future.
This novel has played a key role in teaching our American society about its past social injustices. The Lufkin Daily News distressfully stated: "The problem with keeping the text of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer intact in schools, instead of banning the book because that creates an outrage of its own are simply not assigning it to students anymore. And that's a shame” (Huck par.2). If we have children read it when they are younger with or without the word “nigger”, it would be a waste of time. The thrill in reading this American classic is the exposure of the dark chapters of America during the time of slavery. If the novel is censored, then it would take Twain’s intended experience away and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn would just be another book lost in history. And that would be the ultimate shame.
Works Cited
Carey-Webb, Allen. "Racism and "Huckleberry Finn": Censorship, Dialogue, and Change." The
English Journal 82 (1993): 22. Print.
"Huck Finn: Censorship? Sure, it is, but changes to 'Huckleberry Finn' are warrented." Lufkin
Daily News 6 Jan. 2011: Print.
Paine, Albert Bigelow. Mark Twain, a Biography the Personal and Literary Life of Samuel Langhorne
Clemen,. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1912. Print.
Thorp, Katie. "Censorship of a classic promotes revisionist history." The Smith College Sophian
10 Mar. 2011: Print.
"Twain Publishes The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn — History.com This Day in History —
2/18/1885." History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History. 18
Feb. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
Professor Henderson
Academic Writing
2 March 2011
Censorship of the American Classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Is
Absolutely Not the Answer
Should any person change Michelangelo’s painting in the Sistine Chapel, or Rodin’s world famous sculpture, The Thinking Man, or even Leonardo Divinci’s masterpiece, The Mona Lisa? The answer would be absolutely not. The censorship of the American classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, is comparable and is completely wrong. This American classic should be considered a work of art that should never be altered, but the argument of its censorship is a hot topic of debate today. The Lufkin Daily News published an editorial on January 6, 2011 titled: “Huck Fin: Censorship? Sure, it is, but Changes to ‘Huckleberry Finn’ Are Warranted. In this editorial, the authors claim that the word “nigger” should be replaced with the word “slave”, so that younger children are able to read it. The Lufkin Daily News is correct that the language in this novel is not appropriate for younger children, but the book was not written for that particular audience. Mark Twain is an amazing and gifted author who is able to take the reader on a journey back in time and see the reality of the American culture in the 1800s. By altering Twain’s writing, one would be robbing the reader of a potentially life-changing experience.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was published in 1884, only 19 years after the Civil War ended (Twain par.4). Since the novel’s publication the novel is one of the most frequently read pieces of literature in America, second in frequency to Shakespeare (Carey-Webb 22). It is the most taught book and is required in 70% of public high schools. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered to be a “staple form junior high to graduate school” (Carey-Webb 22). This novel is a key source of American literature, but even at the beginning of the novel’s publication, it stirred up much controversy. A month after its publication many libraries banned the book, calling it "tawdry" and its narrative voice "coarse" and "ignorant" (Twain par. 4). In the 1950s, the novel had strong criticism due to its racial content. In Arizona in 1988, a parent sued her school district, claiming: “that making Twain's novel required high school reading made already existing racial tensions even worse” (Twain par. 4) . Even through all this fiery debate, the novel has remained unchanged, and for good reason. There are many who realize the importance and significance of the novel’s content. Twain was not writing in a disrespectful way by any means, but rather he was displaying the cruel cold reality of America back in the days of slavery. Twain was able to display most perfectly the intolerance, injustice, suppression, and the ignorance that was demonstrated by many white people against people of color. It is through his descriptions that the reader is able to get a taste of the harsh reality during this troubled time period. By eliminating word ”nigger”, which in retrospect was used quite often, the reader does not get the full experience Twain was trying convey to his audience.
Since The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn depicted most vividly the grim life of a slave, it was not previously or presently intended for a young audience. The authors of the Lufkin Daily News editorial stated: “The Twain books are too important to be shelved, which is what’s happening. The new versions, for those readers who prefer them, or for lower level grades in our schools, are appropriate” (Huck par.3). This statement does not acknowledge that the Mark Twain’s audience includes adults who are able to understand and interpret Twain’s message in an appropriate fashion. The books are only being shelved from those who are not fit to read it, but older children and adults continue to read the American classic. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is inarguably an advanced text. How many children are actually reading and fully understanding the content of Mark Twain novels? This literary masterpiece was not written with the intent of young children reading it. Upon the novel’s first publication, a librarian wrote to Mark Twain asking him to defend his books. Twain responded to her with confidence:
"I am greatly troubled by what you say. I wrote 'Tom Sawyer' & 'Huck Finn' for adults exclusively, & it always distressed me when I find that boys and girls have been allowed access to them. The mind that becomes soiled in youth can never again be washed clean. I know this by my own experience, and to this day I cherish an unappeased bitterness against the unfaithful guardians of my young life, who not only permitted but compelled me to read an unexpurgated Bible through before I was 15 years old. None can do that and ever draw a clean sweet breath again on this side of the grave” (Paine 813).
Twain states clearly that he did not write this story for children and did not have any intent of “soiling” the minds of children. He wrote this novel for the adult audience; if Twain wished for children to read the novel then he would have made the text much simpler with less vulgar language. It is not the right of others to change Twain’s words in his story.
Although The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was not written for children, it can still be considered a very important source of knowledge for young adults today. The book should not be censored to older students who are able to discuss it in a sophisticated, understanding, and respectful way. Marcus Tullius Cicero, a well-respected Roman writer, speaker, philosopher and politician (106-43BC), once brilliantly stated, “Not to know what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child” (Thorp par.4). Here, Cicero meant that if one does not learn from the past then they are considered to be ignorant, just like a child. By censoring The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, we are depriving young adults of a very valuable lesson. We must allow them to read this book and allow them to get swept off into a world full of ignorance and injustice. It is when the reader is able to feel these emotions that they are able to learn from the failures of America’s past and strive for a brighter future. Through this novel, they learn that the language and treatment of the people of color was undeniably wrong. By observing the wrongs of past American society, people can learn how to make things right here and now and in the future.
This novel has played a key role in teaching our American society about its past social injustices. The Lufkin Daily News distressfully stated: "The problem with keeping the text of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer intact in schools, instead of banning the book because that creates an outrage of its own are simply not assigning it to students anymore. And that's a shame” (Huck par.2). If we have children read it when they are younger with or without the word “nigger”, it would be a waste of time. The thrill in reading this American classic is the exposure of the dark chapters of America during the time of slavery. If the novel is censored, then it would take Twain’s intended experience away and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn would just be another book lost in history. And that would be the ultimate shame.
Works Cited
Carey-Webb, Allen. "Racism and "Huckleberry Finn": Censorship, Dialogue, and Change." The
English Journal 82 (1993): 22. Print.
"Huck Finn: Censorship? Sure, it is, but changes to 'Huckleberry Finn' are warrented." Lufkin
Daily News 6 Jan. 2011: Print.
Paine, Albert Bigelow. Mark Twain, a Biography the Personal and Literary Life of Samuel Langhorne
Clemen,. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1912. Print.
Thorp, Katie. "Censorship of a classic promotes revisionist history." The Smith College Sophian
10 Mar. 2011: Print.
"Twain Publishes The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn — History.com This Day in History —
2/18/1885." History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History. 18
Feb. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Reflection 2.1
The research was very difficult for this paper. I have some good quotes from people that I found on the web that worked well in my paper, but I didn't not find much more than that on the computer. I hope to find a good source, such as a book from the library, that I can use that will provide strong evidence. Most of my paper is my own words, but I may need more supporting sources that back up my claim. I believe I took a firm stance and the reader will clearly recognize my opinion on the subject matter and hopefully I will be able to sway their opinion with the points I make in my paper
Rebuttle Rough Draft
Rebecca Moran
Professor Henderson
Academic Writing
2 March 2011
Censorship of the American Classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Is Absolutely Not the Answer
Should any person change Michelangelo’s painting in the Sisitine chapel, or Rodin’s world famous sculpture, The Thinking Man, or even Leonardo Divinci’s masterpiece, The Mona Lisa? The answer would be absolutely not. The censorship of the great American classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, is comparable and is completely wrong. This great American classic should be considered a work of art that should never be altered. The argument of censorship of Huckleberry fin is a hot topic of debate today. The Lufkin Daily News published an editorial on January 6, 2011 titled: “Huck Fin: Censorship? Sure, it is, but Changes to ‘Huckleberry Finn’ Are Warranted. In this editorial, the authors claim that the word “nigger” should be replaced with the word “slave”. The editor’s purpose is to gain support for the censorship of this book instead of banning it, so that younger children are able to read it. The Lufkin Daily News is correct that the language in this novel is not appropriate for younger children, but it should not be banned to older students who would be able to discuss it in a sophisticated, understanding, and respectful way. Mark Twain is an amazing and gifted author who is able to take the reader on a journey back in time and see the reality of the American culture in the 1800s. It is through his use of certain words and descriptions, that the reader is able to get a taste of the harsh reality during this troubled time period. By altering Twain’s writing, one would be robbing the reader of a potentially life-changing experience.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin by Mark Twain was published in 1884, only 19 years after the Civil War ended. Even at the beginning of the novel’s publication, it stirred up much controversy. A month after its publication many libraries banned the book, calling it "tawdry" and its narrative voice "coarse" and "ignorant." In the 1950s, the novel had strong criticism due to its racial content. In Arizona in 1988, a parent sued her school district, claiming: “that making Twain's novel required high school reading made already existing racial tensions even worse” (History 4) . Even through all this fiery debate, the novel has remained unchanged, and for good reason. There are many who realize the importance and significance of the novel’s content. Twain was not writing in a disrespectful way by any means, but rather he was displaying the cruel cold reality of America back in the days of slavery. Twain was able to display most perfectly the intolerance, injustice, suppression, and the ignorance that was demonstrated by many white people against people of color. By eliminating the N-word, which in retrospective was used quite often, the reader does not get the full experience Twain was trying convey to his audience.
The authors of the Lufkin editorial stated: “Twain books are too important to be shelved, which is what’s happening. The new versions, for those readers who prefer them, or for lower level grades in our schools, are appropriate” (Lufkin Daily News 3). This statement does not acknowledge that the Mark Twain’s audience includes adults who are able to understand and interpret Twain’s message in an appropriate fashion. The books are only being shelved from those who are not fit to read it, but older children and adults continue to read the American classic. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is inarguably an advanced text. How many children are actually reading and fully understanding the content of Mark Twain novels? This literary masterpiece was not written with the intent of young children reading it. Upon the novel’s first publication, a librarian wrote to Mark Twain asking him to defend his books. Twain stated with confidence:
"I am greatly troubled by what you say. I wrote 'Tom Sawyer' & 'Huck Finn' for adults exclusively, & it always distressed me when I find that boys and girls have been allowed access to them. The mind that becomes soiled in youth can never again be washed clean. I know this by my own experience, and to this day I cherish an unappeased bitterness against the unfaithful guardians of my young life, who not only permitted but compelled me to read an unexpurgated Bible through before I was 15 years old. None can do that and ever draw a clean sweet breath again on this side of the grave” (able2know.org).
Twain states clearly that he did not write this story for children and did not have any intent of “soiling” the minds of children. He wrote this novel for the adult audience; if Twain wished for children to read the novel then he would have made the text much simpler with less vulgar language. It is not the right of others to change Twain’s words in his story.
Marcus Tullius Cicero, a well-respected Roman writer, speaker, philosopher and politician (106-43BC), once brilliantly stated, “Not to know what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child” (Cicero Quotes 6). Here, Cicero meant that if one does not learn from the past then they are considered to be ignorant, just like a child. By banning the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, we are depriving young adults of a very valuable lesson. We must allow them to read this book and allow them to get swept off into a world full of ignorance, hatred, and injustice. It is when the reader is able to feel these emotions; they are able to learn from the failures of America’s past and strive for a brighter future. Through this novel, they learn that the language and treatment of the people of color was undeniably wrong. By observing the wrongs of past American society, people can learn how to make things right here and now and in the future.
The Lufkin Daily News distressfully stated: "The problem with keeping the text of Huck Fin and Tom Sawyer intact in schools, instead of banning the book-because that creates an outrage of its own-are simply not assigning it to students anymore. And that's a shame” (Lufkin Daily News). If we have children read it when they are younger with or without the N-word, it would be a waste of time. The thrill in reading this American classic is the exposure of the dark chapters of America during the time of slavery. It is through this experience that the novel has survived and is considered to be an American classic. If the novel is banned from all schools or censored, then it would take Twain’s intended experience away and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn would just be another book lost in history. And that would be the ultimate shame.
Works Cited
"When Censorship Goes Monkey-Fighting Bad...." Ask an Expert at Able2know - Ask Questions, Share Answers. 5 Jan. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
"Twain Publishes The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn — History.com This Day in History — 2/18/1885." History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History. 18 Feb. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
"Marcus Tullius Cicero Quotes." Share Book Recommendations With Your Friends, Join Book Clubs, Answer Trivia. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
Professor Henderson
Academic Writing
2 March 2011
Censorship of the American Classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Is Absolutely Not the Answer
Should any person change Michelangelo’s painting in the Sisitine chapel, or Rodin’s world famous sculpture, The Thinking Man, or even Leonardo Divinci’s masterpiece, The Mona Lisa? The answer would be absolutely not. The censorship of the great American classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, is comparable and is completely wrong. This great American classic should be considered a work of art that should never be altered. The argument of censorship of Huckleberry fin is a hot topic of debate today. The Lufkin Daily News published an editorial on January 6, 2011 titled: “Huck Fin: Censorship? Sure, it is, but Changes to ‘Huckleberry Finn’ Are Warranted. In this editorial, the authors claim that the word “nigger” should be replaced with the word “slave”. The editor’s purpose is to gain support for the censorship of this book instead of banning it, so that younger children are able to read it. The Lufkin Daily News is correct that the language in this novel is not appropriate for younger children, but it should not be banned to older students who would be able to discuss it in a sophisticated, understanding, and respectful way. Mark Twain is an amazing and gifted author who is able to take the reader on a journey back in time and see the reality of the American culture in the 1800s. It is through his use of certain words and descriptions, that the reader is able to get a taste of the harsh reality during this troubled time period. By altering Twain’s writing, one would be robbing the reader of a potentially life-changing experience.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin by Mark Twain was published in 1884, only 19 years after the Civil War ended. Even at the beginning of the novel’s publication, it stirred up much controversy. A month after its publication many libraries banned the book, calling it "tawdry" and its narrative voice "coarse" and "ignorant." In the 1950s, the novel had strong criticism due to its racial content. In Arizona in 1988, a parent sued her school district, claiming: “that making Twain's novel required high school reading made already existing racial tensions even worse” (History 4) . Even through all this fiery debate, the novel has remained unchanged, and for good reason. There are many who realize the importance and significance of the novel’s content. Twain was not writing in a disrespectful way by any means, but rather he was displaying the cruel cold reality of America back in the days of slavery. Twain was able to display most perfectly the intolerance, injustice, suppression, and the ignorance that was demonstrated by many white people against people of color. By eliminating the N-word, which in retrospective was used quite often, the reader does not get the full experience Twain was trying convey to his audience.
The authors of the Lufkin editorial stated: “Twain books are too important to be shelved, which is what’s happening. The new versions, for those readers who prefer them, or for lower level grades in our schools, are appropriate” (Lufkin Daily News 3). This statement does not acknowledge that the Mark Twain’s audience includes adults who are able to understand and interpret Twain’s message in an appropriate fashion. The books are only being shelved from those who are not fit to read it, but older children and adults continue to read the American classic. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is inarguably an advanced text. How many children are actually reading and fully understanding the content of Mark Twain novels? This literary masterpiece was not written with the intent of young children reading it. Upon the novel’s first publication, a librarian wrote to Mark Twain asking him to defend his books. Twain stated with confidence:
"I am greatly troubled by what you say. I wrote 'Tom Sawyer' & 'Huck Finn' for adults exclusively, & it always distressed me when I find that boys and girls have been allowed access to them. The mind that becomes soiled in youth can never again be washed clean. I know this by my own experience, and to this day I cherish an unappeased bitterness against the unfaithful guardians of my young life, who not only permitted but compelled me to read an unexpurgated Bible through before I was 15 years old. None can do that and ever draw a clean sweet breath again on this side of the grave” (able2know.org).
Twain states clearly that he did not write this story for children and did not have any intent of “soiling” the minds of children. He wrote this novel for the adult audience; if Twain wished for children to read the novel then he would have made the text much simpler with less vulgar language. It is not the right of others to change Twain’s words in his story.
Marcus Tullius Cicero, a well-respected Roman writer, speaker, philosopher and politician (106-43BC), once brilliantly stated, “Not to know what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child” (Cicero Quotes 6). Here, Cicero meant that if one does not learn from the past then they are considered to be ignorant, just like a child. By banning the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, we are depriving young adults of a very valuable lesson. We must allow them to read this book and allow them to get swept off into a world full of ignorance, hatred, and injustice. It is when the reader is able to feel these emotions; they are able to learn from the failures of America’s past and strive for a brighter future. Through this novel, they learn that the language and treatment of the people of color was undeniably wrong. By observing the wrongs of past American society, people can learn how to make things right here and now and in the future.
The Lufkin Daily News distressfully stated: "The problem with keeping the text of Huck Fin and Tom Sawyer intact in schools, instead of banning the book-because that creates an outrage of its own-are simply not assigning it to students anymore. And that's a shame” (Lufkin Daily News). If we have children read it when they are younger with or without the N-word, it would be a waste of time. The thrill in reading this American classic is the exposure of the dark chapters of America during the time of slavery. It is through this experience that the novel has survived and is considered to be an American classic. If the novel is banned from all schools or censored, then it would take Twain’s intended experience away and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn would just be another book lost in history. And that would be the ultimate shame.
Works Cited
"When Censorship Goes Monkey-Fighting Bad...." Ask an Expert at Able2know - Ask Questions, Share Answers. 5 Jan. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
"Twain Publishes The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn — History.com This Day in History — 2/18/1885." History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History. 18 Feb. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
"Marcus Tullius Cicero Quotes." Share Book Recommendations With Your Friends, Join Book Clubs, Answer Trivia. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
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