Sorry, I was trying to be as accurate as possible when quoting Steve Hatch's statements. Maybe I should've used (sic)? According to the way he uses it, I'm assuming "W" does stand for "Whitey," "White," etc. Thanks for catching that anyway, Shawn. Ron Racilis Arcata, California [log in to unmask] On Tue, 3 Mar 1998, lscoll wrote: > What is the "W" word? Whitey? > Shawn Collins > > Ronald Racilis wrote: > > > Steve, > > > > I think the historical context of the word "nigger" may make it less of an > > appropriate word to use in a white American classroom context than would > > "W" or "Honkey. In other words, the terms "honkey" or "W" are not > > laden with images of slavery, disenfranchisement, lynching, Jim Crow > > laws, etc. I'm not trying to defend use of one text over another, but > > merely pointing out an issue that's often overlooked when discussing > > the appropriateness of Twain's or Angelou's works. > > > > Ron Racilis > > Arcata, California > > > > On Sun, 1 Mar 1998, Ropapope wrote: > > > > > My kids don't read Mark Twain in any form in school, but they do have to read > > > Maya Angelou. She uses the "W" word and"Honkey" liberally. Maybe the NAACP > > > should have her books banned as unappropriate. > > > > > > Steve Hatch > > > Austin,TX > > > >