>>>>>http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/01/04/new.huck.finn.ew/index.html
>>>>
>>>>Times change.
>>>>
>>>>Do you think it's an acceptable word? If you were black would you want to be called that?
>>>
>>>That has nothing to do with. The fact that it is unacceptable and makes you feel uncomfortable is part of the goal. This is literature and the words used set the tone and the experience for the story. Those words are used for a reason in that story and it is not to further discrimination. You have read the book, right? The context is important. It is actually required and critical. Literature reveals us in all our ugliness. Are you trying to erase history?
>>
>>I can't believe such a simple point is so misunderstood. It doesn't make me uncomfortable, it's just an ugly word. It was then, too. Would you like being called a squaw?
>
>I am really concerned about you. Are you drinking? You are educated and yet you are not seeing the forest through the trees. I started to explain the book to you, but instead I searched for an article by someone else. I cannot believe you are writing this nonsense. This is about literature not everyday speech. You cannot change it to be a discussion on what speech is acceptable and what is not. It's literature.
> Please read:
>
>http://salwen.com/mtrace.html
>
>It's written plain and simple.
>
>Common decency and respect in language and speech has nothing to do with cultural and period representation (the good, the bad, and the ugly) in literature. Literature highlights and shows periods in time and different cultures and experiences and hopefully provides a clear picture and emotes feelings -- the language served the purpose of truly representing horrifying views and language 20 years before the civil war in the deep south. It is a view into history. If you are offended by the language in it - you should be - it served its purpose. Removing the words totally destroys the intention of the author.
>
>It has nothing to do with whether you or I think it is okay to use that language today or in the past. It was never okay. However, it was life then. The book is truly an inspirational book if you read it when you are sober or look back on this discussion later I really think you will see it all differently.
>
>Really, are you ok? You have a college degree and you are an avid reader --
>
>BTW, the last time I was called a "squaw" I was 19 and working part time in a nursing home while attending college. It was a 70 year old woman who called me a squaw. I let it go. It didn't offend me one bit. I was surprised, but not offended. It was another sign of someone who never evolved. If I were to write a book and include that experience in it, I would use the words used at the time - ugly and all.

Since we both have Norwegian blood, we can call each other Vikings. We better use it now; who knows, maybe someone will find that word offensive in the future?