Scott Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Really? I'd think it was the other way around! My god ( I think the reason why it is offensive is due to the "us and them" kind of thinking. White people are "White" whereas everyone else just falls under "Coloured". "Ethnic" would also fall under that category for me but I don't think that word was ever used to demean wherease "coloured" clearly was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted January 6, 2011 Author Share Posted January 6, 2011 Black people are indeed Black, they arent coloured at all. I'm sure 10 years ago it was fine to say 'coloured' and was in fact the polite term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 ....for one of Trev's threads. Indeed. Racist chitter chatter may potentially be removed. If we're staying on topic about the book, fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 What about "Asian"? Do we think that would be offensive because that could mean anyone from Asia. Chinese, Japanese, India, Pakistan, all sorts of countries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted January 6, 2011 Author Share Posted January 6, 2011 What about the "Asian"? I see that in the same way as classifying 'Westerners' or similar? It must be down to the way it's used? The n-word is probably the most well known insult hence the story, then there are things like people saying 'Paki'; relating to where they come from but again often used in an insulting way. I just can't relate any of those things to being written in a book though, it's fiction, I'm sure there are plenty of instances in books where all kinds of people are slagged off in various ways, you can't censor them all or there's no point in writing books!! Hence my 1984 reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I'm sure 10 years ago it was fine to say 'coloured' and was in fact the polite term. Try 20 Yeah, it's exactly the same as the gollywog thread. I have no idea who the people are that take offense to these things are, I honestly believe they are white or of a different race to the people allegedly being prejudised against, but they seem to change their mind with what is cosher dependant on the wind direction. A gollywog is a doll, calling someone a gollywog is a racist remark. IMO they are 2 completely different things, and finally society has caught up and realised this. A couple of Quantum Leap episodes depict racism of different decades quite nicely. The N-word is used as is "Coloured" depending on when the episode is based. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 As was said before, the language should be considered in keeping with the era it was written. Dropping N bombs, although a derogatry term, was considered 'the norm' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Seems like a lot of white folk are getting uppity. My step-mum is black. Her take on it is that only black people get to use the N word and even then you get a slap for being offensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snooze Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 What age group is the book aimed at? Is it aimed at people that will appreciate and understand the representation of those racist times? I really don't think anyone will dispute leaving the original text if this is the case. .....or is it aimed at children who will snicker as it's read in class then run round the playground shouting "nigger" at eachother? This is what I believe they're trying to prevent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackin_n_bashin Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 It is a sad day when we have to re-write such classics because of today's perceived political correctness. The book was written when these words were hugely prevalent, and part of the accepted social culture at the time, and I agree with the comments here along the lines that the book, written as is, gives us a snapshot of the deep south at that time, and is a valuable lesson for us all as to living in a social harmony redundant of colour or creed. That said, I do like a good racist joke, and it doesn't matter what colour is the butt of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom S Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Got to say as ever PC gone mad. Tom Sawyer is a fabulous read. I have of course have signed copies.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Mark Twain was not racist, so why change his original text at all, as it was just the way everyone spoke at the time? It's a real shame IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purity14 Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Seems like a lot of white folk are getting uppity. My step-mum is black. Her take on it is that only black people get to use the N word and even then you get a slap for being offensive. You are trolling us with this post, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 You are trolling us with this post, right? My stepmum is black and that is her take on the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 My stepmum is black and that is her take on the subject. Has she read the book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I wouldn't know. I'll ask her next time I speak to her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I wouldn't know. I'll ask her next time I speak to her. Oh - I thought you were talking about her take on this topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I don't agree with re-writing of classic books. I'm sure the vast majority of (black/coloured/negro - whichever is PC) who read text from this era realise it was of the time, and do not take it to heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Oh - I thought you were talking about her take on this topic. Oh - I didn't think you had such specific requirements. FWIW I do know that she accepts the use of certain words when used in context (film, book, comedy, commentary etc etc) rather than when bandied about as an example of 'political correctness gone mad' by a bunch of know-nothing crackers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Oh - I didn't think you had such specific requirements. What the heck are you going on about? I'm talking only about the use of this particular word for racial awareness in that era in this particular book. I'm not discussing 'political correctness gone mad' as I have said several times in this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 What the heck are you going on about? I'm talking only about the use of this particular word for racial awareness in that era in this particular book. I'm not discussing 'political correctness gone mad' as I have said several times in this thread. you tell him girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I wonder if they'd rename Wing Co Guy Gibson's dog in The Dam Busters if there was a remake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I'm not discussing 'political correctness gone mad' as I have said several times in this thread. You may not have been but a few others mentioned it and I was referring to them. Next time I'll be sure to separate my posts so as to avoid confusion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 You may not have been but a few others mentioned it and I was referring to them. Next time I'll be sure to separate my posts so as to avoid confusion. As your response was to a quote of my text, in which you said you didn't think I had 'specific requirements' on the topic at hand, I naturally thought you were responding to me. But thanks for your polite explanation, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackin_n_bashin Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I wonder if they'd rename Wing Co Guy Gibson's dog in The Dam Busters if there was a remake? When they show the original on tv now they redub it "Boy", makes me laugh in a sad way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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