Let me just say that some people on this forum seem to think that unless
you are an intellectual or scholarly, then you needn't bother to make
your views known.  Well, let me just remind those of you who fall into
that category that some of us are subscribed to this particular forum in
order to learn more and enjoy the subject that we are so enthusiastic
about - MARK TWAIN!  Therefore, if we happen to offer an opinion and it
seems petty or less than "genius" to any of you, oh well -- I thought this
forum was intended for anyone who might be interested and membership
should be
encouraged - not discouraged.  In short, don't be so pious!

Sue J. Harris
Secretary for Career Development and Fine Arts
Elmira City School District

"Live Life To the Fullest Everyday"

On Wed, 4 Mar 1998, Rivka Swenson wrote:

> I am in agreement with Gary about purviewing appropriate articles on the
> issue, prior to pronouncement of opinion, so as to make informed,
> appropriate and salient responses.  I also appreciated Larry's point about
> it being alright to say something about your mother (or, about yourself)
> while still taking legitimate offense at an outsider's similar voicing.
> One last word about the N-word: one way to look at it, is this--members of
> minority groups who appropriate "the language of the oppressors" do
> succeed in defusing, somewhat, the sting.  If you're not in that group,
> though, you're simply, as it's put, "calling someone out their name"--a
> very big offense, because, historically, names, religious affiliations and
> family structures were shattered.  That seems pretty clear. Finally, Steve
> said something to the effect of "what if I get offended by the term
> 'honky'?" Well, what if you do?  The issue, whatever it may be, shouldn't
> be a matter of "personal and individual offense."
>
> On Tue, 3 Mar 1998, Gary Henrickson wrote:
>
> > In all honesty, I've been waiting for this thread to die off.  The issue of
> > Mark Twain's/ Huck Finn's racism has been viewed and reviewed for the last
> > 10-15 years in the journals and in some fine books with no resolution (Cf.
> > Forrest Robinson's articles and books).  My suggestion is that one plow
> > through some of those articles and then return to this thread if there is
> > anything new to say about it.
> >
> > As far as the "N" word goes, I do accept arguments that it is a historically
> > weighty term.  But I am struck by the frequency of the use of the word by
> > American blacks in conversation with each other.  I have wondered at times
> > if such use hasn't taken some of the sting out of the term. (?)
> >
> > Gary Henrickson
> > North Dakota State College of Science
> >
>