I think (or at least, hope), that you underestimate your audience. -----------------------------------------From: "Clay Shannon" To: Cc: Sent: 03-Jan-2017 19:22:00 +0000 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