abaya

Not trying to be personal here, but since you addressed me, I'll reply directly: I don't understand how that was his point at all, so I need your help on that one. To me, the OP said loud and clear, "black people need to lighten up," and other iterations of that idea. The OP did not say that people (of all skin colors) should look at the local context in which this scene took place (a particular area of the south) and evaluate it based on those factors. At least, clearly, that was my understanding. Hmm. I guess we have another misunderstanding here, because words ARE literal... I mean, unless we're writing poetry or something, which would make them metaphorical. I honestly don't know how else the statement "black people need to lighten up" could be interpreted, really. It was unequivocal.

As I said before, all I have to go on are people's words here. What else am I supposed to react to? His facial expression? I can't see that. I have nothing against squeeb as a member on TFP, really. I've generally appreciated his contributions; this is not personal. If *anyone* here had opened a thread with a statement like that, yes, I would have laid into those words with just as much energy as I have here.

And, as I said earlier, I would have done the same with a student paper, or newspaper article, or any other piece of writing submitted for evaluation/displayed in public, and I'd expect people to take me to task for the same error, if I committed it myself. Words, as a part of human language, are symbols; they have power. As someone in a privileged position, with the ability to influence others (through my education and work), I cannot ignore those facts.

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran