Books That Suck--LOLOMGWTFWWJD

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

Wonder why "Huckleberry Finn" wasn't on the list as it has the n-word all through it?

Took the words out of my mouth. It's usually on the Top Ten of any Banned Books, as is To Kill A Mockingbird. People forget the concept of context.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

Wonder why "Huckleberry Finn" wasn't on the list as it has the n-word all through it?

Originally Posted by honeychile

Took the words out of my mouth. It's usually on the Top Ten of any Banned Books, as is To Kill A Mockingbird. People forget the concept of context.

Extremely random, but this reminded me of the times when we read these books in middle (HF) and high (TKAM) school.

I lived in Bel Air, MD during middle school, and I was one of like 4 black people in this 1,400+ student school. When we started reading Huck Finn, the teacher gave this huge disclaimer about the word's usage ("k_s, I'm SO sorry you have to hear this word, but..."). When students would read out loud, they usually paused and wanted me to say the word lol

In high school, we read TKAM individually and then watched the movie as a group. My 9th grade center was lot more diverse, but there weren't many black folks in my English class. Every time "colored" or any other similar word was dropped, everyone turned to look at me to make sure I was OK.

I agree that folks should recognize that context is important.

/random

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Extremely random, but this reminded me of the times when we read these books in middle (HF) and high (TKAM) school.

I lived in Bel Air, MD during middle school, and I was one of like 4 black people in this 1,400+ student school. When we started reading Huck Finn, the teacher gave this huge disclaimer about the word's usage ("k_s, I'm SO sorry you have to hear this word, but..."). When students would read out loud, they usually paused and wanted me to say the word lol

In high school, we read TKAM individually and then watched the movie as a group. My 9th grade center was lot more diverse, but there weren't many black folks in my English class. Every time "colored" or any other similar word was dropped, everyone turned to look at me to make sure I was OK.

I agree that folks should recognize that context is important.

/random

LOL. I can relate to that.

At the same time, context doesn't always matter because I've heard people complain when others read things within context and it rolls off their tongue too easily/smoothly.

It reminds me of a thread about "the n word" (I hate that phrase) where a white GCer typed the word out. Although it was within a certain context, I kind of wished she had just put "n" or something to that effect.

Many of the social scientists and linguists I know are very hesitant to say certain words, almost regardless of the setting, as to not appear too at ease with something that makes some people uncomfortable.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

LOL. I can relate to that.

At the same time, context doesn't always matter because I've heard people complain when others read things within context and it rolls off their tongue too easily/smoothly.

It reminds me of a thread about "the n word" (I hate that phrase) where a white GCer typed the word out. Although it was within a certain context, I kind of wished she had just put "n" or something to that effect.

Many of the social scientists and linguists I know are very hesitant to say certain words, almost regardless of the setting, as to not appear too at ease with something that makes some people uncomfortable.

For the most part, I agree with the bolded. You (general you) should be able to discern when there's a malicious intent, though.

Reading the lines of a book wouldn't affect me at all, but dropping the word all willy-nilly in a race discussion will make me raise an eyebrow.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Reading the lines of a book wouldn't affect me at all, but dropping the word all willy-nilly in a race discussion will make me raise an eyebrow.

No mal intent, though, no mal intent.

Outcome matters more than intent because we can hear tone and so forth, but can't read minds.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Extremely random, but this reminded me of the times when we read these books in middle (HF) and high (TKAM) school.

I lived in Bel Air, MD during middle school, and I was one of like 4 black people in this 1,400+ student school. When we started reading Huck Finn, the teacher gave this huge disclaimer about the word's usage ("k_s, I'm SO sorry you have to hear this word, but..."). When students would read out loud, they usually paused and wanted me to say the word lol

In high school, we read TKAM individually and then watched the movie as a group. My 9th grade center was lot more diverse, but there weren't many black folks in my English class. Every time "colored" or any other similar word was dropped, everyone turned to look at me to make sure I was OK.

I agree that folks should recognize that context is important.

/random

even more /random:

@ the bolded, i had a similar experience, discussing Don Imus' remarks a few years back. A white classmate slid me a note asking me if it was "okay if she used the word 'nappy' as long as it was in context."

is the look i gave her back. it was more

Whatever comments she wanted to make during that class, she refrained. But everytime the word was used, looks were dated back and forth in the classroom.

:back to OT, as i could easily see this blowing up into GC Race War X:

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by tld221

:back to OT, as i could easily see this blowing up into GC Race War X:

*fingers crossed*