I just started reading Blood Meridan for the first time and I was kinda shocked to see the casual use of one of the worst slurs in the English language. I’m just wondering if this is a Huckleberry Finn thing and “justified” in some way? Or more like a Pulp Fiction situation where Tarantino seemed to throw it in there just because he could? Because honestly, I know this is close to being a modern-day classic but there are a lot of amazing books out there I’ve not yet read and I don’t know if it’s worth it to pollute my brain like that or just move on to something else.

  • Copperheadmedusa@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    “Pollute your brain?” If you can’t handle morally bad characters and situations just read something else. I can’t believe this needs to be said, but Blood Meridian is not a morality tale

    • PepsiColaDream@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      Thank god some sense. Honestly, I often wonder do people expect dark subjects to be all sunshine’s and rainbows. 🙄

      • cantthinkofcutename@alien.topB
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        1 year ago

        Or people being shocked that bad/evil characters do and say bad/evil things. Or that stories set in the past don’t conform to modern morals.

      • Copperheadmedusa@alien.topB
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        1 year ago

        This post feels like OP subtly bragging about how they’re a good person because they don’t like the N word. As a black person, I find this whole conversation unbearably obnoxious

  • katiereadsalot@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    This perspective is so interesting and very reflective of people looking at racism as a thing of the past.

    I can promise that you know multiple people who are still very comfortable using that word. Maybe not around you, because you’re one of those “woke people”, but they definitely use it.

    Racism is alive and well, and the n word is the least of it. To completely dismiss anything that uses the word and to act as if it isn’t still in many people’s vocabulary is not as progressive as you might think.

  • benpoon3596@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    I’m ok with the killing of babies but I I cannot tolerate the use of a derogatory term. I will not allow my brain to be polluted like that. That’s where I draw the line.

  • early_onset_villainy@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    I mean, people used that word a lot back then, even if they weren’t particularly bad people by the standards of the time period. It’s bound to show up. If you want to read realistic historical fiction then you’re going to have to accept that slurs got thrown around and will show up in the book.

  • estpgirl@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    I thought the book portrayed realistically how those sorts of people were at that time in history. Considering how gritty and raw the depictions of violence to everyone was, it would stick out more to me if the glanton gang and their ilk referred to black people in a historically inaccurate yet pc term.

  • cnthelogos@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Wow. You’re reading Blood Meridian and the first bit that upset you was the bad language?

    I actually laughed. Well done. Either you’re an excellent troll or you’re serious… in which case, l will laugh even harder.