Hilary Chang

Generally speaking, I do agree with the court's ruling of upholding the school's right to assign these books. While it was not directly violating the Equal Protection Clause, it still brought attention towards a belligerent educational environment that Monteiro was in. The content inside the novel did contain vulgar language, including racial slurs that may have been offensive to hear in that moment-however, there is not a way to just pick and choose what language to see in historical contexts. The presence of it does not directly violate students' rights. Seeing past the language, themes arise in the novel that ultimately lead to an inspiring change involving race, morality, and community. This book serves as an opportunity for educators to truly depict the meaning behind these books and provide a supportive and comfortable environment for all students to be involved in.

Both novels but especially Huckleberry Finn truly emphasized the depiction of slavery through both the plot and character's involved. Huck was heavily influenced by the societal norms occurring in that time, which led him to be heavily rooted with racism and authority. As the story progressed, his development was influenced by events that would occur to him throughout the book. His quest to find his true identity and forms his own beliefs against society. The harsh process and vile consequences that were faced in the novel shapes for a more impact and progressiveness in the end, which makes the lesson more valuable.