In a message dated 4/16/2007 12:30:41 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: I am an African American who has spoken for the novel as being non- racist. No where I have been around the country, speaking to all races, have I encountered opposition when we discuss what the novel actually says and renders. Respectfully, Jocelyn A, Chadwick I appreciate your views on this question, and note the difference being "actually says and renders." Fiction, especially great fiction, may "render" a wide diversity of reader reaction. I recall a class on *Lolita* which some students felt was merely a book about pedophilia. I suspect the flap about HF has to do more with a word many find distasteful today, than it has to do with true issues of racism. I was speaking with Dr. Tenney earlier today and we observed that racism was a matter of judgment of the heart. Whatever else he was or wasn't, whatever qualities Sam owned or lacked, I've never seen any convincing proof that he lacked a good strong resilient heart. Why else would Huck declare he'd go to hell rather than betray Jim? Would a racist put that in the book? I suspect these questions can never be definitively answered to everyone's satisfaction. One question I'd like to pose: Where was Livy when it came to editing the proofs of HF? Wouldn't she have lobbied for the term to be struck? DHF