A DANGEROUS CHARACTER
Images courtesy Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center

All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn....It's the best book we've had.
-Ernest Hemingway

"But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she's going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can't stand it. I been there before."

"Sivilization" has had a hard time accepting this most American of characters.

1885: Banned in Concord, Mass. as "trash and suitable only for the slums."
1905: Barred from the Brooklyn Library Children's Room because "Huck not only itches but scratches, and says sweat when he should say perspiration."
1957: Dropped from New York City schools list of readings for frequent use of the word nigger.
1969: Removed from Miami-Dade Junior College required reading list because it "creates an emotional block for black students that inhibits learning."

CHALLENGED AS RACIST:
• 1976: Winnetka, Illinois
• 1981: Warrington, Pennsylvania
• 1981: Davenport, Iowa
• 1982: Fairfax County, Virginia
• 1982: Houston, Texas
• 1983: State College, Pennsylvania
• 1984: Springfield, Illinois
• 1984: Waukegan, Illinois
• 1986: Lincoln, Nebraska