I did not read that. I won't validate that person, whether she had accurate arguments or not. However, since I am a solid Tolkien fan, I do want to comment. I don't get the feeling that he is racist, though I can freely admit that there are (what feel like) racist elements in the book. I've thought about this for a long time - I stillll think it's more about the concepts of actual lightness (stars, primarily) and darkness (evil, black, glooms, smog, etc) than about any kind of skin color differences. Yes, the fellowship races are all white, but Tolkien is, and comes from a white place. That sounds silly and shallow, but it is true. It's important, because he wrote the characters with a specific pride of his culture. I'm not sure I understand why he should he have incorporated other races, with which he doesn't appear to have had the opportunity to be well acquainted?
I don't know that I can properly comment on the sexism angle, because I think the women are pretty well empowered, based on the attitudes men had decades ago. Eowyn is strong, knows her mind and knows she doesn't want to be stuck in the position she was born to. She doesn't do what she is supposed to, and she becomes a major hero. I don't see why he would have presented her that way if he thought she should shut up and go back to the kitchen. And Galadriel? I mean, really?
I don't know that I can properly comment on the sexism angle, because I think the women are pretty well empowered, based on the attitudes men had decades ago. Eowyn is strong, knows her mind and knows she doesn't want to be stuck in the position she was born to. She doesn't do what she is supposed to, and she becomes a major hero. I don't see why he would have presented her that way if he thought she should shut up and go back to the kitchen. And Galadriel? I mean, really?
The racist elements in Tolkien's writing
29/01/2012 01:31:02 PM
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She has some points, of course.
29/01/2012 02:25:32 PM
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Quite a few points
29/01/2012 02:40:45 PM
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I don't find the tone blunt; I find it leading, patronizing and often wrong or inferring too much.
30/01/2012 01:43:27 AM
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Agreed - reading it, I struggled to find any redeeming qualities
30/01/2012 07:32:58 PM
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Agreed, in general. The tremendous bad faith and sophistry turn me off, though.
29/01/2012 09:31:04 PM
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Mostly agreed with the article, but thought she undermined herself with her own racism.
29/01/2012 02:50:11 PM
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Just read your Twitter convo... nice try, but looks like wasted effort. *NM*
29/01/2012 10:37:08 PM
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Well, I'll be honest.
29/01/2012 10:34:46 PM
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Let me try to summarize some of her points with the invective filtered out, then.
29/01/2012 10:48:24 PM
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Thank you.
29/01/2012 11:10:13 PM
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What the hell, might as well go and play devil's advocate, right?
30/01/2012 04:50:30 PM
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I expected that.
30/01/2012 05:39:59 PM
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Of course you did. I'm predictable that way.
30/01/2012 10:28:10 PM
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Re: Of course you did. I'm predictable that way.
31/01/2012 12:39:46 AM
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Re: Of course you did. I'm predictable that way.
31/01/2012 08:38:46 PM
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I <3 you, but there are several very key things we are not going to agree on.
31/01/2012 10:02:22 PM
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Hmm?
31/01/2012 10:10:22 PM
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Yeah. I got to reading Encyclopedia of Arda just now, and it told me the same thing.
31/01/2012 10:35:54 PM
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As a sort of group answer (I've been mostly absent from forums the past two days)
31/01/2012 10:45:55 PM
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I don't mind if you tell me I'm out of line here, but
31/01/2012 11:55:04 PM
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I'm rarely ever offended
01/02/2012 01:54:58 AM
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She was referring specifically to the Twitter "conversation" I had with the blogger.
01/02/2012 09:05:28 AM
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Yes.
01/02/2012 10:47:22 AM
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It makes me wonder what she thinks is happening in Zimbabwe, for example.
01/02/2012 11:13:11 AM
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I've been thinking about that.
01/02/2012 11:29:18 AM
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That blog post was mostly good, but the exception is a rather large one.
01/02/2012 08:35:57 PM
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What's a neckbeard? And why am I supposed to care? *NM*
30/01/2012 01:29:07 AM
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neckbeards are when the person (either intentionally or through misfortunate genetics)...
30/01/2012 03:21:09 AM
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acrackedmoon is a racist, sexist bore. And I don't even like Tolkien. *NM*
30/01/2012 01:14:17 PM
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