Context is everything. "Old Black Joe" in its minstrel show context was, indeed, a compassionate treatment of this admirable character. In fact for most of the white audiences who saw it, it must have been a rare musical challenge to bigoted minds. Isn't it better to sing the song and confront the facts it presents (i. e. slavery and universal humanity) rather than quietly ignore them? And now, in the name of expedience, even HUCKLEBERRY FINN is being whitewashed; Clemens would be astounded at this treachery. Doug Saum