Aah, I knew Grammy read them at some point, but I didn't know they were yours first :) I think it's awesome that you read them for the first time with me!
I know that when I read those books to you I never equated "black men", or "slant-eyed", or "squint-eyed" with anyone of a particular race - my mind just didn't run in that direction - but I can clearly see what you mean.
I think what's scariest about it is that Tolkien may not even have thought to himself "I'll make my evil people look like Asian or black people!" but instead picked those physical characteristics because he thought they would communicate "shifty and untrustworthy and suspicious" to his readers. Gaaah.
In fact, in re-reading it as an adult, I was quite horrified, so I can fully appreciate your feelings.
I'm still enjoying reading it, thankfully, even though I can see it has problems. I've sadly gotten past the first half of Fellowship, which is where things start getting bleak ^^;; And continue that way for the next two and a half books!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-08-23 11:29 pm (UTC)I know that when I read those books to you I never equated "black men", or "slant-eyed", or "squint-eyed" with anyone of a particular race - my mind just didn't run in that direction - but I can clearly see what you mean.
I think what's scariest about it is that Tolkien may not even have thought to himself "I'll make my evil people look like Asian or black people!" but instead picked those physical characteristics because he thought they would communicate "shifty and untrustworthy and suspicious" to his readers. Gaaah.
In fact, in re-reading it as an adult, I was quite horrified, so I can fully appreciate your feelings.
I'm still enjoying reading it, thankfully, even though I can see it has problems. I've sadly gotten past the first half of Fellowship, which is where things start getting bleak ^^;; And continue that way for the next two and a half books!