Beyond the fact that we are really supposed to be discussing museum things,
why would we not engage in a discussion of whether or not to dumb down the
language.  The word in question has always been in my vocabulary (I was, in
fact, called to task once by a black college trustee for using it until I
handed her a dictionary).  I think the word is much stronger than "stingy"
and would choose to use it when I want to be particularly forceful in my
argument, e.g. the salaries paid by most museums are niggardly, at best.

In my mind, that expresses it the way I think it should be expressed.  The
word is a part of the English language.  Perhaps the recent issue will
serve to educate some of the public to its meaning.

I might point out that a number of highly prominent black leaders
criticized the Mayor for his actions, noting that someones lack of
understanding of a word is not justification for calling the user to task.

You are tired of the subject, as I can understand, so I don't expect a
response.  Just wanted to get my last few words in.


------
Robert Handy
Brazoria County Historical Museum
100 East Cedar
Angleton, Texas  77515
(409) 864-1208
museum_bob
[log in to unmask]
http://www.bchm.org

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From:   Indigo Nights[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Monday, February 08, 1999 2:25 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: Was: Your TOP EVENT Now: news