Two iconic American novels have been temporarily banned from schools in the US state of Virginia after a mother complained about the racial slurs they contain.
Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird have been taken off library shelves in Accomack County schools after concerns about their use of the N-word.
"There's so much racial slurs and defensive wording in there that you can't get past that," the unnamed mother told CBS. "Right now, we are a nation divided as it is.'
She has filed a request to have the district find alternatives, forcing them to temporarily suspend use of the two novels.
A committee is expected to give the schools' superintendent a recommendation on whether to keep the books off of shelves.
Some in the community hope the books are banned permanently.
"It's in a book and [kids will] feel that they are able to say that to anybody," said Teresa Wilkins.
But others disagree, saying even though they contain racial slurs, the quality of the content and the message behind the books is reason enough for students to read them.
"By removing it, what is it going to fix?" said one woman. "I think to explain what has occurred to the classroom, to the students, would help more."
Many others agree, saying censoring Huckleberry Finn and Mockingbird could set a dangerous precedent, possibly leading to other classic books being banned.
The schools' superintendent say there is no set date for the when the recommendation will be made.
CBS
