Date:  Fri, 31 Oct 1997 19:31:43 EST
From:  Monkmag <Monkmag[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: PC Dictionaries?

In a message dated 10/28/97 8:49:27 AM, you wrote:

<<I am a Black man, not African-American, and the use of the word "Nigger"
or shall I say the definition of the word, in the Merriam dictionary
greatly offends me. Who gave them the right to define any one person or
race. Is the publisher of Merriam God. Nope. So what gives him the
right to call me a "Nigger." If he called all white people "Peckerwoods"
then all white people would most likely be offended. Being labeled is
not a good thing. I cant see how someone can support Merriam's
definition. Personally, since the dictionary wants to define black
people as "Niggers" then the dictionary should include all derogatory
statements about all races.

Steve Nolden>>

Steve, I have never been called a peckerwood. And would have to smile if
someone called me a peckerwood. "Jim, you dumb peckerwood." I like that. No
attachment.

Hasn't this M-W definition been cleared up already. Just indicate that its
usage is largely derogatory or can be or historically has been derogatory and
you have it covered, right?

Not to minimize the negative associations black people have with the term
nigger (it is the one term if used pejoratively by a white person to describe
a black person that I will literally come to blows over--it saddens and angers
me that there are still folks that use it in this old purely negative sense),
but I have always been curious about the range of black slang terms for white
people. Anyone know of a good source (especially of terms in regular use
today)? I am sure I am not hurt by these terms for the obvious reason that as
a white person I am not an oppressed racial group. It only makes sense. Still
want to know those terms....

Heck, maybe I should be upset with peckerwood....

Jim Crotty
How To Talk American
Captain of the Los Angeles Peckerwoods