Roger Ebert Gets Fired Up Over 'Huck Finn' Censorship, Then Apologizes

By Jett Wells Posted Jan 6th 2011 03:31PM

Almost 101 years after Mark Twain died, one of his most famous works is causing controversy once again, only this time on Twitter. After news broke Tuesday that publisher NewSouth will release a new edition of 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' with all 219 N-words excluded, movie critic Roger Ebert reacted with a controversial tweet. He quickly apologized after receiving harsh criticism.

Ebert responded to the 'Huck Finn' announcement on Wednesday by tweeting to his 300,000-plus followers, "I'd rather be called a N***** than a Slave."

The tweet set off a storm of heated feedback toward the influential critic, describing him as "disrespectful" and "ignorant."

"Fair point, from some1 who's likely to be called neither," @urbanbohemian said.

Others accused Ebert of believing he's allowed to take liberties with the word because his wife, Charlie "Chaz" Hammel-Smith, is black.

"R U OUT OF UR freakin head? jus cos ya wife is black dont give u the right to throw tht word around like its nothing. A*******" @iamichelle said.

Ebert retracted his statement Thursday by conceding that, as people like @urbanbohemian pointed out, he would never be called either word.

"You know, this is very true. I'll never be called a N***** *or* a Slave, so I should have shut the **** up," Ebert tweeted.

The new edition, 'Mark Twain's Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn: The NewSouth Edition,' is set for release in February.

Did Roger Ebert cross the line?

Tags: Mark Twain, Roger Ebert, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Comments

(573)

Thursday 06 January

By racquetguy1

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How stupid, we are so politically correct. How soon before we are ordered to turn in books to be burned?

By bronxriza

I think Hitler would be very proud of Newsouth.

By Robert

Let's see, how many books will we have to edit because of generational bias across the spectrum of humanity ? Gee, how will that change our interpretation and understanding of history ? I'll get back to you...

By Van

This move in the publishing world is not only wrongheaded, it's positively scary! How DARE they?

Well said!

By Barbra Fortman

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You only see politcally correct. As a black women, it would be hard to see that word 219 timees. Once or twice I could handle - so many times -- it hurts.

By lambasorus

Touche! History is History & it needs to be read not erased. The present/future is Ted Williams. A gentleman.

By chuck

blacks are proud that they are from Africa, so let them go back there to live !! or at least lets put them on a reservation so they can only screw up their own lives instead of ruining an entire society.

By Linda

I totally agree, HISTORY does not need to be rewritten, Mark Twain doesnt need rewritten, Politically correct is one thing this is another, if they dont want the word used then quit using it, I am tired of the its ok for me but not for you. its either ok or not, enough of the BS. YOU CAN NOT RE WRITE MARK TWAIN. it doesnt work.

By Nell

How can we just up and change the words written by an author about a time in history...???

By Karen

I think it is rape to change a book's content to remain politically correct. I would never want such a book in my collection. I am a black person but I am Mark Twain purist. His word was a sign of the ugliness of the times when black people were considered no greater than animals. We had better remember those days so that we dont repeat them. America will never tread on me because I want as much education and experience I can get and I will not be refused and I will fight to be heard because I have what it takes to be equal.

By miss swan

Barbara, I'm surry it hurts. Chuck, you are an idiot.

By Nathaniel

Nuggers call each other nuggers without a thought as to how they make those around them feel. If they don't want we crackers and honkeys to call them nuggers, they first need to have enough operational gray matter to stop calling each other by that foul epithet. It's nasty and mean spirited WHOMEVER is using it. Poor taste and stupidity is poor taste and stupidity.

By Mary

How right you are. Next thing they will be burning books. Sound familiar. Or maybe not if those books were changed

Friday 07 January

By Doug

Blacks call each other the N word all the time. But they don't do anything about it. But everyday there is Black on Black crime.
Most of you know what I'm saying is true. But you tried to hide it by calling me a racist or being ignorant.

Tuesday 11 January

By JaxNvilleGAL

I am a retired teacher of over 25 years and to "rewrite" a book by Mark Twain is scandalous ! It's our history and that was the way it was, not the way it is today. I've never heard of anything so ridiculous ! Who are the uneducated idiots that are trying to do this ? And, who ever heard of updating a historical work ? Those people need to go back to school.

By Corey

Perhaps just burning you would be better, racquethead!

It won't be long. All the criticism through the years has not garnished this much anger. It only takes one sabateur to put a wrench in the works. Chances are, the ones offended have not even read this great literary work. That's not a slam. It's an observation. And to the ones raising such a ruckus: You have FAR too much time on your hands if you went through the book and counted the "N" word 219 times! Yet WE (non-"N" word people) are the racists! Thank you, Mr. Obama!

By cashmanh8surkel

Black people are funny. They spend half their days proving that every stereotype about them is spot on, and the other half whining about people who notice it.

By annie

what the heck are you even talking about? get over yourself, stupid bigot.

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