Racial slurs in literature offend student
Q: As an African-American student, I view the use of racial slurs as disturbing and have been troubled by their appearance in literary works I've read in class this year. Do I have a right to question their appearance in novels and short stories I've been assigned?
P.M., Woburn
A: Absolutely. Trust your visceral reaction to the language you find disturbing. Feeling offended is reason enough to discuss the matter with your teacher. Give some thought to how you wish to begin that conversation. You could raise the issue in class, write a letter to your teacher, or have a tete-a-tete with him or her after class. Each approach presents a different opportunity; choose the setting and medium with which you're most comfortable. Know, too, that no matter which means of confrontation you choose, the exchange will be only the first step. The issue of racist language in literature resists any neat and easy resolution.
As an English teacher, I've struggled with the decision to assign works I know contain inflammatory, malicious language. For example, I've worried that the repeated appearance of racist epithets in William Faulkner's ''The Sound and the Fury" or Flannery O'Connor's short stories could perpetuate the ignorance and insensitivity they depict. Repeatedly, though, I've decided to assign these works, believing that their merits outweigh the discomfort they create. Yet I provide that rationale with doubt and reservations, acknowledging my limited experience with that particular discomfort.
Is the racist language of these works necessary? It's difficult to imagine that Faulkner and O'Connor asked themselves that question. These writers, however, committed themselves to an accurate depiction of the time and place they chronicled -- one in which ignorance and cruelty often trumped openness and compassion. Doubtless you see how we continue to struggle with such a conflict today. With ugly characters often comes ugly language. Hesitate to see in an author's depiction of the odious and offensive a condoning of either. The novel or short story that shies away from such characters risks dishonesty, naivete, and sterility; it also veers from the important conversations you could prompt with a thoughtful confrontation of this issue.
Should you choose to raise the issue in class, realize that you have an obligation to speak for no one other than yourself. Having taught in a classroom of limited but increasing diversity, I've too often seen students in the majority look to an African-American student as if he were spokesman for his race. That's an unfair burden. Speak of your own experience and reaction to the literature in question: Your individual story could be as poignant and eye-opening as the one under discussion.
Postscript
While debating the pros and cons of time off after high school in recent columns, some pragmatic matters fell by the wayside. A recent letter from Stevan Vigneaux, a Massachusetts parent of a college-age daughter, raised legal and insurance concerns related to the young adult who postpones attending college. I've checked with attorneys who've confirmed Vigneaux's advice and recommended passing it on.
''First, many family health insurance plans do not cover a child who has turned 18 (some trigger at 19) unless that child is a full-time student," he wrote. ''Be aware that taking a year off from college can result in a loss of medical insurance, something not to be taken lightly. The federal COBRA program allows a former student to take on individual insurance through their parent's employer's insurance provider; rates and terms vary from program to program.
''Second, when children turn 18, their doctors, health insurance provider, dental insurance provider, cellphone carrier, bank, etc. are legally prohibited from talking to the parents without permission from the child. This also applies to the student's college health services, administration, finance department, and registrar -- even if the parent is paying all the bills. Thus, parents may want to consider having each child sign a Power of Attorney and a Health Care Proxy so as to ensure the parent is allowed to act as the child's agent in a time of need."
Ron Fletcher teaches English at Boston College High. To submit a question, e-mail asktheteacher@globe.com. Include your name, town and e-mail address. Questions, at reader's request, can be printed anonymously.
