The end is nigh! We have approached the last leg of our journey through the renisance this semester, and we have met many interesting people along the way. One of those that we have encountered on our literary journey was Mark Twain. During our class discussion, the question was raised about weather or not you would teach Huckleberry Finn to a class of ninth graders. The class was divided on the issue, but one of the points brought up was that it would depend on the maturity of the class. It was then countered by the point that you can't measure what you teach based on the supposed maturity or immaturity of your students. We continued on this debate for a while, until Dr. Abernathy said we had actually missed the reason she had asked the question.
How do you deal with sensitive materials in the classroom? Would it be a good idea teaching something depicting slavery in a classroom filled with black students? My answer to this question is resoundingly yes. Our nation has developed a bad habit. We try to gloss over the events in our history that cause us shame as if they never happened. Well, I have news for you. They did. We cannot simply skim portions of history or liturature becuase we don't like the facts. Yes of course, you can and should approach the subject delicately, but approach it. If we try to pretend that our history never happened it only makes us look foolish. It needs to be taught, we heed to be able to see those black marks in our history, as those who forget their history are destined to repeat it.
(Okay, I'm off my soapbox now, please enjoy your Thanksgiving)
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