Defence of "To Kill a Mockingbird"

Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” has been the subject of classroom study as early as 1963. The book's content of racial slurs, profanity, and the discussion of rape have led people to challenge its place in libraries and classrooms across North America. One of the common causes of objections is the use of the word “nigger,” and the implication of black students being mocked because of racial stereotyping. The word 'Nigger' is used 48 times in the novel leading to withdrawal from various institutions. However, it is still a part of the curriculum in many schools for obvious reasons.

The word “nigger” was used during the time the novel was written and is important to the historical accuracy. It is wrong to use the "n-word" in a derogative way, but it is also inaccurate to pretend it wasn't used commonly in the past. “To Kill a Mockingbird” deals with racial prejudice and provides readers with life lessons as Scout matures and learns from positive parental figures. Removing this novel from the curriculum would prevent students from gaining this knowledge and blind them from our history. Shielding students’ eyes from the horrific word is not and never will be the correct approach. Certain words are no longer acceptable in society and it is important to understand the reasoning behind this. Tolerance is a key theme in the novel and is important to emphasize this in young impressionable minds. We cannot move forward as a society if we do not learn from our mistakes in the past and this is why "To Kill a Mockingbird" should remain in the curriculum of high schools throughout the world.