>In a perfect world race issues would be as J. Roberson wishes they were. And only by trying to make this world perfect can one race issues like that. >Sadly, as Roberson knows, Gotta love that mind-reading trick you have there. >perfect world expropriation and exploitation of racially tinged issues What is Tarantino "exploiting"? >is a legitimate matter for discussion. That some blacks call each >other "nigger" does not privilege outsiders to use this language for >their own purposes. No. . .but it does call into question what is wrong with that word. It seems to upset some people and not bother others - and it is context-sensitive. Looks like Taratino's "exploitation" is that same way. >What these purposes are is worth considering: One >may hope to ingratiate oneself, demonstrate their own "lack of >prejudice," or exploit the symbols for self-aggrandizement, or . . . . Or, maybe, just *maybe*, adequately represent the characters in dialogue? >again as J. Roberson knows, You've got to tell me where you learned this fantastic mind-reading trick. >whites can shed these >symbols, they can turn the peak of their caps to face front, as it Depends on the environment. In a predominantly black areas, being white can be just as much a negative feature as being black in other areas. >were. Most blacks, even very light complected ones, cannot. The color >of their skin, the shape of their physiognomy, and other physical >characteristics are permanent indelible marks of their existence. And in some environments it really doesn't matter. I won't say that it doesn't matter anywhere (though it shouldn't) but there are places where one can be an individual, not part of some herd of cattle. >Even Roberson's computer nerd friend is a black before he is a computer >nerd, even if he doesn't make a point of it to outsiders. Really? When was the last time you spoke to him? I won't tell you what he was first, except from my own perspective. . .if you really really want, I could always ask him to reply directly on the subject. J Roberson