Use Of Racial Slurs In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
In many high school curriculums, the book “Of Mice and Men” has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years due to its use of racial slurs. In a poll by KFF.org, 7-10 black Americans said that they have experienced racism in their life. If more than half of all black Americans have experienced harmful words against them something should be done about it, such as limiting their exposure to harmful words. The novel features several instances where characters use derogatory terms towards people of different races and ethnicities, including the N-word and the C-word. While some argue that using these slurs is necessary for historical accuracy and authenticity, others believe that they perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to a culture …show more content…
Rather, it reflects the racist attitudes during the time in which the novel is set in. By showing these attitudes, the novel contributes to a culture that normalizes racism and discrimination. This is particularly harmful in the context of education, where the novel is often taught to young, impressionable students.
Furthermore, the use of racial slurs in “Of Mice and Men” contributes to harmful stereotypes about African Americans. The character of Crooks, the only black character in the novel, is portrayed as lonely, bitter, and resentful. When he is constantly talked down upon he then becomes lonely, bitter, and resentful. The use of racial slurs reinforces the idea that black people are inferior and undesirable, perpetuating harmful stereotypes that have contributed to systemic racism. This is because when derogatory terms are used against them most of the time they are used to make the victims feel bad for themselves.
In a scientific study conducted by researchers in Psychology Today, it was found that exposure to racial slurs can have a profound impact on individuals’ attitudes and beliefs about that race, people who were exposed to racial slurs and stress were more likely to have fits of violence. This demonstrates that even seemingly innocuous instances of racism, such as the use of racial slurs in literature, can significantly impact the perpetuation of
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