I don’t think it’s okay to keep racial slurs in literary texts, even if they are part of the historical context. These words, while they might reflect the time and place in which the story was written, still carry a lot of pain and harm. They can make it difficult for some readers to connect with the material or feel comfortable engaging with it. It’s true that understanding history and the issues of the past is important, but I believe there are other ways to show that history without using harmful language that can hurt people. There are many ways to express the prejudices and social problems of the past without causing harm or alienating readers today. We can still learn about the past, the prejudices, and the way society works without needing to keep language that has the potential to hurt people. The impact of these slurs should not be ignored. In the end, it’s about finding a balance—preserving the meaning and context of the text without causing unnecessary harm to those reading it today.
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2 thoughts on “Kadiatou Balde Discussion 9”
Kadiatou, I appreciate you willingness to take the view that most of us do not take. Your answer is honest and articulate.
Hello, Kadiatou I really agree with you. I really like your point of view, particularly the importance that you put on reducing harm and establishing welcoming environments for all readers. While I think it’s important for educators to give advice and context, I also think that maintaining the original language helps maintain the truth about history. Additionally, I agree that racist phrases can be extremely hurtful and frustrating, particularly in educational settings.