When is a movie not just a movie?

gifted people.... Letters, No. 30) Well, if Tolkien was "a man of his times", his times were much more liberal in their views than, perhaps, today. Of course, many people who make such statements are, like me, Americans. We are strongly influenced by our recent past...so much so that some people try to bury our shame. I'm not sure of what I should be ashamed of. I don't come from a wealthy upper-class southern family but my family had black maids when I was a child. I don't recall them having to use separate entrances or toilets, and one of them took me home with her on occasion. I don't feel inclined to write about any long treks across the countryside in chase of Orcs because of the experience, although I do have a vivid memory of watching a movie with her about a child who fell down a well. She was quite involved in that movie. I was just scared I might fall into the well (what can you expect from a 3-year-old?). The United States has definitely had its racially tense moments. I know about the Civil Rights movement even if I am too young to have marched with the King. I did attend schools with forced bussing. I met a number of people in college who were active in civil rights issues. I also met a lot of people of many ethnic backgrounds who simply went about their daily lives. And I've been refused service in a "white" restaurant, and have had to listen to "rednecks" rattle on about how stupid Mexicans are, and have been expected to speak perfectly fluent Spanish even though I was raised an Anglo and attended only Anglo schools because I lived only in "Anglo" communities where no one ever spoke Spanish. I love my father, but I think he speaks with a funny accent. For his part, he says I sound weird, too -- with my southern twang and all. So, I don't have a problem with "The Lord of the Rings". I don't perceive Tolkien as a racist. He never advocated the superiority of one ethnic group over another in his real life (unless it were that his admiration of the Jews meant he thought they were incredibly gifted beyond the abilities of his own German and English ancestors). And his stories are constantly showing how the "upper races" are getting their comeuppance. The Numenoreans

Go To Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic