Celebrating its 135th anniversary this year, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic of American literature and is read each year by millions of people across the country. However, many claim that the book promotes and endorses the heinous act of racism. In their attacks on the classic, many critics of the book use evidence such as the use of the n-word 211 times (Powers, 2010) and the repeated inferior representation of African Americans in the novel. Many supporters of the novel, however, hail it for its controversial nature. They say the dialogue started when discussing the book provides a great opportunity for students to broaden their views on many controversial topics. As Harris (2000) says, "If it's not a dangerous book, there's really no reason for anyone to read it or teach it." Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn arguably does not promote racism and in fact serves to challenge the very idea of ​​racism, as demonstrated by Twain's use of realism, the use of a child narrator, and the intention deliberate intention of the author to criticize the act of slavery and racism. Throughout Huck Finn, Mark Twain uses realism to accurately depict life along the Mississippi River before the war. Merriam-Webster defines realism as “the theory or practice of fidelity in art and literature to nature or real life and to accurate representation without idealization.” Throughout the novel, Twain uses realism to show readers what life was like and how black people were treated. Many reviewers of the book criticize the language used in the book. As Powers (2010) puts it, “controversy exploded in 1957, when the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People condemned his 211 uses of the n-word, the infamous epithet for African…in the middle paper. .....-old boy, show them the true path of equality and fairness. Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn clearly does not promote racism, but even vilifies it, and the universal lessons taught in the book can still be applied today. Works CitedCamfield, G. (2005). Race. Retrieved from http://dig.lib.niu.edu/twain/race.html Harris, E. (September 26, 2000). “Huck Finn” keeps pushing buttons, the teacher says. Retrieved from http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=3637Powers, M. (May 5, 2010). The “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain. Retrieved from http://www.america.gov/st/peopleplace-english/2010/May/20100505151725naneerg0.2608759.html Salwen, P. (Unknown). The quotable twain brand. Retrieved from http://salwen.com/mtquotes.htmlTwain, M. (1986). The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York, NY: Penguin Books Ltd.