ISTM that much of Sam's aversion to native Americans stemmed from his view of the down-and-out (and dirty) "Digger" Indians he came across during his "Roughing It" days. I have "Indian" blood myself, from 3 of my 4 grandparents, yet for some reason I feel no animosity toward Twain for his prejudice. - B. Clay Shannon From: Steve Hoffman <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Friday, December 2, 2016 5:41 AM Subject: Re: Injun Joe Perhaps you've already come across this, but I recall there was some solid information about the real Joe Douglass in Shelley Fish Fishkin's Lighting Out for the Territory: Reflections on Mark Twain and American Culture -Steve Hoffman, Takoma Park MD On 12/2/2016 2:14 AM, Jon Kerr wrote: > Hi, > > Curious if anyone knows of any good biographical information (or even good > fiction) on the real Injun Joe figure, Joe Douglass. I've heard several > brief accounts of his difficult life and how he may have impacted young Sam > Clemens. But curious to know more, and hopefully better understand how > Twain could use such racist images of Native Americans even while clearly > developing a consciousness about black slaves and America's grim history. > > Thanks for any references, > Jon Kerr >