Sanitized for your protection

A few bits of recent news have got me riled and not just a little heartsick. Some jackass (I will not glorify him by inserting his name into this blog), in the interest of political correctness and to protect the delicate sensibilities of American children, has taken it upon himself to change one of the greatest, most important works of American literature ever written. He's published his own version of Huckleberry Finn, deleting all reference to the N-word and replacing it with the word slave. How can this happen? How is it legal? It's not his novel to change. The word was widely spoken in Mark Twain's time and was arguably more derogatory then than it is now, which is why Twain used it and why it's the right word for the story. God forbid our kids would be encouraged to think and to question, and that parents might provide some guidance, and that teachers might actually teach. Regardless of the educational implications, it's reprehensible that someone would and could change someone else's art. Will they re-write Junot Diaz next? Will we wake up tomorrow to find Michelangelo's David re-chiseled to look like a Ken doll, or Picasso's nude women all wearing cubist sweaters? The whole world is now sanitized for our protection and I'm getting pretty sick of it.

Today, I heard that Canada has banned radio play of the original version of Dire Straights' "Money for Nothing." Somebody expressed offense to a line in the song as a gay slur. Never mind that "Money for Nothing" has been played on radios throughout North America for more than a quarter century and if you are paying attention to the lyrics, have seen the video and have a brain, it's clear that the language is a reflection of the clueless, character/singer/refrigerator-moving-guy, not the rock star to whom he refers. So, Canada, what about Green Day's "Holiday?" Can you say Eminem? Again, sick of it.

Up with subversive, thought provoking literature! Long live sex, drugs, rock and roll!

Comments

Unknown said…

I couldn't agree more, Miz Huff-n-Puff! Nah, seriously, I find it difficult to believe that the "N-word" was replaced by the word "slave." Not even close to that. Not close at all. What is wrong with people?

12:56 PM

Vivian Faith Prescott said…

I just learned that the Dictionary is the top banned book of all time. Even the Anchorage school district banned it in the 80s. It was on the list with Huckleberry Finn. Myself, I'd like to re-write the Bible and replace all the "he/him" references to God with "she/her." What do you think? Best seller?

5:02 AM

Born and bred

The creature stared at me, wide-eyed through the florescent glare, Saran Wrap stretched tight across its broad back. Alone in the seafood cooler, he was the only one of his kind, there among the farmed, color-added Atlantic salmon and mud-flavored tilapia, perched on a blue foam tray, legs tucked 'round him like a comfy kitten. He didn't blink. He was dead, red, cooked and chilled, ready to eat. Such a find is rare in the City Market fish department in Gunnison, Colorado. What if nobody takes him home? I thought. This beautiful animal will have died needlessly, ripped from his home, family and friends (Dory, Nemo, Crush and Gill?) only to be tossed in the trash when his expiration date came and went. I lifted him for closer inspection, checked that date, felt the heft of him, scanned his surface for cracks and blemishes. The creature was perfect. I lowered him back into the cooler, nodded farewell, turned to walk away, took one step, and stopped. Shoppers strolled past, stud

On Tennis and Writing and Being Too Nice

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Fruity booty

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Mountains and Islands

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