IMHO, to adequately discuss Twain's view on white vs. black, you need to recognize the difference between being anti-slavery and being a racist. That Twain was vehemently against slavery is (as far as I know) not an issue; all his writing and actions support the view that he found slavery abhorrent. And, in his mind, slavery was not limited to the American South--the church, the government (e.g,, monarchy) were also enslavers in their own way. Whether or not Twain was racist, however, is a separate issue, and IS open for debate. For example, Huck's eloquent support for Jim is no proof either way on this issue. I have looked at a great deal of the evidence on both sides, and I am officially...undecided. Jeri Zulli George Washington University