Racism in SK books

[Kaleidoscope]

It's the character's choice of words and not the author's. Simple as that.

[glyde69]

I believe he is racist to a certain point. Just like I am. Just like everyone I know is. Just like everyone in this thread is(white guilt denial or not).

Me and a buddy were talking about this very thing the other day. It seems like every book there is a rogue character using racial slurs. We find it pretty funny, but I guess not everyone would. Coincidentally, I popped open CHRISTINE yesterday and the first chapter there was a character dropping N bombs. I even texted him a couple quotes and we were laughing about it.

Let's talk real here. If some of those things weren't in his head, would they really be broadcast in his books? Like King said, "Hmm, I need to have a racist character in my books, so I'm gonna do some research and squeeze some in." And then in the end, he felt he needed to slide that into his books DOZENS and dozens of times? C'mon now. Not to mention where the man was born and raised. I bet racism wasn't around the sticks of Maine in the 50's, 60's, and 70's(sarcasm).

I'm a white dude. I have a little racism in me although I like to think there isn't much hate there. I find a lot of it humorous, and I like to call it like I see it, but in the end I think it would be NAIVE to think that King isn't AT LEAST in the same category as me(and most of the world, imo).

It is what it is.

[jj6216]

racist? I hear read a lot of the over usage of the word "nigger" and was wondering does this man have some deep rooted reason for using it so much? He's a very talented author and I really enjoy his writing style and I have read several of his books however, I disagree with seeing that word quite so much seeing how I am African-American.

[Moderator]

racist? I hear read a lot of the over usage of the word "nigger" and was wondering does this man have some deep rooted reason for using it so much? He's a very talented author and I really enjoy his writing style and I have read several of his books however, I disagree with seeing that word quite so much seeing how I am African-American.

I've moved your post to this thread as this topic has already been brought up. If you read back through the other posts, it should answer your question but additionally, as someone who has known him for 24 years, I can attest that he is not racist but he does write about characters who are.

[GNTLGNT]

Uncle Stevie is the epitome of "equal opportunity" he has frickin' nailed every race, creed, color and national origin at least once during his career and it's never gratuitous. His writing at the time reflects what goes on around him. That's one thing I've always admired about his writing-his ability to work current events and believable dialect and attitude into his works...

[jj6216]

I agree with you that his is real in every sense of the word but jeez, if he wanted to degrade the character there are certainly other words he can use if his definition or your definition of being a writer is to display his characters(s) in an ill light.

[Moderator]

I agree with you that his is real in every sense of the word but jeez, if he wanted to degrade the character there are certainly other words he can use if his definition or your definition of being a writer is to display his characters(s) in an ill light.

That wouldn't be realistic dialogue, though, coming from a character who is a racist and by using that language, the reader is even more aware of the true nature of the character he is writing about. There is a much more visceral (negative) reaction to using the "N' word than if the character used a term such as African American. He's not condoning the use of the word "nigger" but words, even disparaging ones, are the tool he has to get the message across.

[JohnDalglish]

there are certainly other words he can use

Hi,

Sure there are, but IMO Sai King is the greatest wordslinger on the planet, so why should he?

Long days and pleasant nights

[Bryan James]

racist? I hear read a lot of the over usage of the word "nigger" and was wondering does this man have some deep rooted reason for using it so much? He's a very talented author and I really enjoy his writing style and I have read several of his books however, I disagree with seeing that word quite so much seeing how I am African-American.

If a FICTIONAL CHARACTER shouted "I disparage you as much as possible because your skin is greatly superior to mine in the pigmentation department!", would it have the same impact as a bad guy muttering "F*** You, N........"?

I think not.

The (un)funny thing is...when I wrote "bad guy," most of you immediately thought I was writing about a caucasian male.

Think about your own internalized stereotypes before you cast any stones.

[catnoel]

Don't think Mr King is Racist. The gunslinger novel has a inter-racial couple after all and it is almost an afterthought. His writing is real, perhaps some of his charecters appear racist because they are!!