The musical "Big River" is based on "Huckleberry Finn." When I saw a production of it, the producer bowdlerized "nigger" by substituting "slave." That is silly. Twain's novel is a satire on the antebellum Missouri in which he grew up. People of that place and time used racial slurs casually and constantly, and it is silly to pretend they did not. If it is not acceptable to show white people in 1840's Missouri calling black people names, how can it be acceptable to show white people enslaving them, considering that they did both? On the other hand, it does little harm to the Gilbert and Sullivan song "A More Humane Mikado" to substitute "painted with vigour" for "blacked like a nigger", as I have also witnessed. The song is just as satirical either way.
Dr. Graboyes, I enjoyed your class in the MSHA program at Virginia Commonwealth University back in 2013. I always found you to be a strong counterpoint to the prevailing thought of the thoroughly progressive academic culture. I'm ashamed to say that I was unaware of your prolific work outside of the classroom. I would like to encourage you to keep it up and never stop speaking truth. Thank you.
The musical "Big River" is based on "Huckleberry Finn." When I saw a production of it, the producer bowdlerized "nigger" by substituting "slave." That is silly. Twain's novel is a satire on the antebellum Missouri in which he grew up. People of that place and time used racial slurs casually and constantly, and it is silly to pretend they did not. If it is not acceptable to show white people in 1840's Missouri calling black people names, how can it be acceptable to show white people enslaving them, considering that they did both? On the other hand, it does little harm to the Gilbert and Sullivan song "A More Humane Mikado" to substitute "painted with vigour" for "blacked like a nigger", as I have also witnessed. The song is just as satirical either way.
. . . .which is why I just purchased a hard copy of the 2018 printing of his entire works. . . . They can't retcon a physical book. . .
Dr. Graboyes, I enjoyed your class in the MSHA program at Virginia Commonwealth University back in 2013. I always found you to be a strong counterpoint to the prevailing thought of the thoroughly progressive academic culture. I'm ashamed to say that I was unaware of your prolific work outside of the classroom. I would like to encourage you to keep it up and never stop speaking truth. Thank you.
Thanks for introducing me to the er....erhu.