I share your discomfort with that word, although I will use it in this
email.  And you're probably making the wisest decision.

But consider that while both being a "slave" and being a "nigger" in Twain's
time were terms denoting low social status, they were by no means equivalent
terms.  Being a "nigger", in some ways, was much worse than being a "slave".
If you were a "slave" it was possible for that condition to end in your
lifetime, and that you would henceforth be a free person.  If you were a
"nigger", that condition would be with you always.  It's horrible to think
about, but in my opinion replacing "nigger" with "slave" (where Twain had
used the former word) is kind of papering over just how truly horrible the
situation was for African-Americans (and in some ways still is), not all of
whom were slaves.  "Slave" implies a social and legal status.  "Nigger" is a
way of designating someone as "not human"; it's one concomitant of the
ridiculous and pernicious idea that there is such a thing as "race".

By the way, my auto-correct refused to let me type "nigger", every time
replacing it with "Niger".  Unlike my auto-correct, I think it's usually
better to face ugly situations, especially in our past, head on.  People
back then used that word to mean something much more devastatingly
derogatory than calling someone a "slave" could ever be.  Some still do,
from what I can see.

Off my soapbox, as I now need the soap to wash my mouth out.

Carl

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Twain Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Clay Shannon
Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2017 2:18 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Reasons to quit (using the "N" word)

When reading or quoting his works, I have struggled with whether to keep Tw=
ain's words "sacrosanct" by retaining the original wording in every case - =
specifically, the "elephant in the room" - the so-called "N word" (see, peo=
ple don't even like to write it out, let alone verbalize it).
I have determined to (not uniquely or originally) replace the word with "sl=
ave" when I encounter it.
Here is my reasoning:
When I do my Twain performance, I do not speak as slowly as Twain did (alth=
ough I do speak more slowly than my natural rate). Why? Because modern audi=
ences would not have the patience to endure that "three-words-per-minute" s=
tuff. They would tune me out quicker than a Barry Manilow song at a mosh pi=
t.
I have also determined not to mimic the Twain gait on stage, again because =
the average member of the audience would be distracted, wondering whether I=
had hurt my leg or had imbibed two too many toddys prior to trodding the b=
oards. Now among a crowd of Twainians, it would be different - I would prob=
ably effect the "sailor-on-shore" weave, because they (you) would "get it."
So, my point is: the current milieu must be served. And that's why "slave" =
should, in my opinion, replace the "N" word when reading/quoting Twain's wo=
rks. If the original word was retained, the audience would understandably b=
e uncomfortable, distracted, and possibly even antagonistic both towards me=
and Twain, viewing him perhaps as the immoralist of the insane rather than=
the moralist of the Main.
What the word meant to be people back in the 1840s (and 1880s, even) and ho=
w they responded/reacted to it in those times is different from people's re=
sponse and reaction today. It may be that "slave" is, in actuality, a prett=
y good modern equivalent for the dreaded and now decidedly derogatory slur.
Why Twain used the word (especially in "Huck Finn") could continue to be di=
scussed, but (alluding to Daniel Day-Lewis-as-Lincoln's advice to Tommy Lee=
Jones' character in "Lincoln"), the most effective way to get to the other=
side of the swamp is sometimes to go around it, rather than plunge headlon=
g into the muck and mire.
The preservation of Twain's reputation, and to keep him on the world's read=
ings lists, may best be served by bending a little in this case.
Your responses are welcomed and awaited.=C2=A0- B. Clay Shannon