To Kill A Mockingbird or Whatever

I am reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" (a law school assignment) and it is without question world class literature, and every bit southern Americana! The book uses the phrase "nigger lover", not in an offensive way but because it is central to the plot, and it reminded me of something I hadn't thought of for over thirty years. This was a phrase that was in vogue when I was growing up in Atlantic City N.J. in the early 60's, and was an insult then (as in the book) of the highest order. I never did understand why because I thought that the premise was stupid, how could you love an entire race? But that notwithstanding, I certainly understood the intent behind it. Reading this book and reflecting some, it occurred to me that the meaning was not that you "loved niggers" but that perhaps you did not hate them enough (if at all), and that was the real crime, and not hating enough made you vile. We were an immigrant family and were not taught to hate anybody, and for that I have my parents to thank and I suspect many of you have your parents to thank as well.