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Old 04-02-2014, 02:46 PM   #109
speakingtohe
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT View Post
Books are a product of their time. When I was growing up in England in the 1960s, the word "nigger" was an everyday, descriptive, non-perjorative word (eg consider Agatha Christie's book "Ten Little Niggers" - she was making use of an everyday British expression, not being a racist).

We shouldn't censor books simple because language and cultural values change; simply accept the fact that they have changed.
Then it was changed to ten little Indians which is now offensive to many. Next it could very well be Ten little Ethnic individuals which is hardly a catchy title. I don't think the Nancy Drew books were racist either but they have been changed.

I grew up in a small city with no blacks, and no aboriginals (Indians) and nigger was not considered a perjorative term anymore than Indian was, merely descriptive. But racial prejudice abounded. The population of the province was about 70% white with 30% aboriginal and, but not one of them lived in the capital city to the best of my knowledge. Probably a lot different in England way back when and perhaps even to this day?

Changing these words in books where they were innocently used is possibly a strictly commercial one in that the publisher feels they will sell better. Kind of like whitewashing your fence whether it needs it or not just in case.

Helen
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