Racism and Tolkien.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

....are described as swarthy or squint-eyed.

One of the travellers from the south in the Prancing Pony, for example, is described as a "squint-eyed ill-favoured fellow".

Errrr, in British English, a "squint" means cross-eyed, or one or both eyes having a sideways aspect; sometimes the connotation is "sidelong" or "shifty." The American usage meaning "partially closed" or even "slanted" was completely alien to JRRT-- even Christopher Tolkien, just a few years ago, was quite surprised and nonplussed to learn that to Americans the word means something so different.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

[I]... The American usage meaning "partially closed" or even "slanted" was completely alien to JRRT-- even Christopher Tolkien... was quite surprised and nonplussed to learn that to Americans the word means something so different.

So was I. As a noun squint just means a strabismus. Very common and would have been more so in earlier times without access to corrective glasses and surgery. It does mean you re iable to look shifty since you literally can't look people in the eye.

Of course Morsul wouldn't be off the hook here as we dont make a distinction for hispanic...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Ulvenok, calling *all* others racist is in itself prejudicial - and that without the benefit of knowing any of us personally! As a matter of fact, you are new on the Downs and probably haven't had time to read our posts or PM with others to find out what they're like. For that reason I ask you to refrain from calling everyone names - we take pride in being polite and friendly here, and the kind of discussion you are attempting to provoke does not comply with our policies.

I have been here for 11 years now (most of that time as a moderator) and have had the opportunity to converse with numerous members both virtually and personally. I have not met one person whom I would call racist. We also span a number of various religions and (usually! ) can carry on discussions without insulting each other.

I suggest you check out the sticky threads at the top of the Novices and Newcomers forum index as well as the index for the Barrow-Downs forum. Those guidelines are vital to our identity as an open, welcoming forum. Then post your opinions thoughtfully and politely. Thank you!