Censoring history -- the Huck Finn debate

It was recently reported that publisher NewSouth will release a new edition of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" with all 219 N-words excluded in favor of the word "slave."
Some argue that high schools across America don't include the book in lesson plans because of its controversial language -- "Huck Finn" is listed on the most banned and controversial books list. This editing will be a way around the exclusion so youth can enjoy the wonderful novel. Others say the N-word is derogatory and impressionable minds shouldn't be forced to read such hateful content.
So, with this censorship in mind, NewSouth shouldn't stop at Huck Finn's adventures. What about Richard Wright's "The Native Son" or Frederick Douglass' "Narrative"? The list goes on. Such groundbreaking works of literature will be edited for who? For some jerks who thinks it's offensive.
The N-word is an offensive word that is dehumanizing and ugly. However, it is a large part of America's history, especially during the 1830s when the "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is set. This is a word used often and carelessly for centuries. It is still used and is often at the center of racial debates -- especially with the N-word used as a friendly word by some blacks.
When developing his characters, Mark Twain exposed the racists and racism that was prevalent as did other authors like Wright and Douglass. Are high school teachers too stupid to teach the background of the novel?
To change this word is denying history and would do students a disservice! The N-word and racism should be discussed in detail as part of all high school classes.
For concerned parents and jerks, censoring will not hide youth from offensive or controversial content. There will be a classmate or acquaintance on the bus, at baseball practice or whatever who heard from their parents or older brother or sister or someone about something off-color and adult -- sex, drugs, different races and religions, etc. With TV, the Internet, music and video games, controversial content is more accessible for impressionable young minds. What to do about it? Have conversations. Something comes up -- for example: the N-word or any derogatory word -- don't just mutter, "Don't say that." Explain why. Discuss. Help them understand. Instead of censoring words, use your words to teach and break down barriers. Words can be very powerful, as Twain has demonstrated.