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Emotional Segregation: Huckleberry Finn In The Modern Classroom, Sharon E. Rush
Emotional Segregation: Huckleberry Finn In The Modern Classroom, Sharon E. Rush
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
In this article, I explore emotional segregation and how it functions in the context of Huckleberry Finn for both personal and academic reasons. Recently, I read Huckleberry Finn because it had been assigned to my daughter's middle school class. I was concerned for her welfare because she is Black and worried how the book would affect her. To understand her reactions, I had to understand the controversy surrounding the book, particularly as a White mother I have reflected quite deeply on the question whether the book is racist. I define "racism" as a belief in the myth of White superiority …
Emotional Segregation: Huckleberry Finn In The Modern Classroom, Sharon E. Rush
Emotional Segregation: Huckleberry Finn In The Modern Classroom, Sharon E. Rush
UF Law Faculty Publications
This paper explores the harm of teaching The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in public school classrooms. Such harm can be broadly described as emotional segregation, which occurs when society sanctions disrespect. To illustrate the effects of emotional segregation, this article explores the reaction Black students and parents have to the novel to that of White students and parents. White students eagerly imagine being Huck and going on his adventures. Black students, however, cannot and should not even be asked to try to imagine being Huck and betraying their racial identity. But then who are the Black students supposed to identify …