Should there be books in English classes with derogatory language?

Kiana Farhangi, Journalist

High school students are used to being assigned reading in their classes and that reading is often chosen by the Teacher. Students were asked if they would want to continue reading books their teacher required in class or would they want to read their own books instead. Additionally they were asked if they thought To Kill a Mockingbird and Huckleberry Finn, books with derogatory language, should be allowed in English classes.

When Freshman Chloe Nishanian was asked, if they would want to continue reading the books  teachers require in class or would they like to read books they get to choose instead? She said, “I would want to read my own books.” Chloe thinks that books like To Kill a Mockingbird and Huckleberry Finn should be allowed in the classroom. Required books with derogatory language should also be allowed in English classes. Chloe said, “Yes, I believe this is so because students should be able to learn about those times and what kind of language they use. They are highschoolers and should be able to begin learning about history and literature in some of its rawest forms. However, these topics should be taken with full seriousness.’’

Freshman Anabelle Taylor said that she would continue reading books that are required in the Class. She thinks that books like To Kill a Mockingbird and Huckleberry Finn should be allowed in schools. Should books with derogatory language be allowed in English classes? Annable thinks, “Of course. Students are already prone to derogatory language and reading it won’t change that. Also, it makes the book more vivid, practical, and easy to relate to.”

Based on the interviews with students at CdM, and the research that students did students think that books like To Kill a Mockingbird and Huckleberry Finn should be allowed in classes. It’s understandable that students on campus would want to still keep these books with derogatory language, taking books out of the classroom for potentially indelicate language censors them from what is happening in the real world.