Thanks for the feedback. I've made some comments below. --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > My thoughts in this regard are: > > 1. Howard was a man of his times and he lived in > rural Texas, which was not > the most "politically correct" place for blacks in > the 1920s. He was a "good > ol boy" at heart, and would reflect the views of his > immediate society.
Sure, of course. And we would probably all agree that Tevis Clyde Smith was a racist. With Howard we are more reluctant to admit it because we love his stories. But I think it should be admitted because then we can get it out of the way and go on to discuss what we love about the stories despite any controversial aspects. > 2. Howard believed earnestly in the primacy of the > Celtic "race" and the > supremacy of the white man from that area over other > peoples, be it black, > brown or yellow. In this way, he reminds me of > Chun, the Asian character in > the Destroyer (?) series by Will Murray, who being > Korean, describes the > Korean man as the most perfect man ever made. Would > someone having such a > view be regarded as "racist"? In a sense yes, but > Chun does not invidiously > attack other races; he just thinks his "race" > (Koreans) is supreme. Howard didn't just believe in Celtic superiority. He doesn't have Irish characters talking down all other "white" races. His letters show a distinct mistrust, fear, and callousness toward non-whites. > 3. I don't think he viewed blacks any more nobler > than he viewed his Latin > or Chinese characters, for that matter. These were > generally described in > his stories as brutish, furtive or oily -- although > once he wore a > Mexican-type moustache and hat. I agree with this. If he shows a preference for a non-white race it is probably for Native Americans (Indians). > > 4. Was REH a conscious racist? Would he have > supported the KKK or similar > organizations (not sure the KKK as a national > phenomenon existed at the > time)? I don't think so, but it seems clear to me > that his sympathies were > with the South rather than the North in the Uncivil > War. Therefore, he could > not be expected to have a "soft spot" for the > supposed object (slavery) of > that war. I disagree. REH was a conscious racist. His letters show him to be so. He supports the violence of others directed against non-whites. To his credit, he did speak against slavery rather well in "The Black Stranger" and some other stories. I think the best thing to do is admit Howard's racism but go on to discuss his other themes and views. There is greatness in Howard's best work. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.com
