As a lifelong student of the English language, I am particularly concerned with the preservation of accurate speech. I am referring to the phrase "Okie" which is used in the derogatory sense by those people who consider themselves superior to what is known as "Lower Class."
During the thirties and the so-called Dustbowl migration to California of the so-called Okies was the only means of survival from the terrible environment of a drought-stricken area. To survive during the time they had to accept any available work which consisted mostly of hard manual labor.
For the most part, these migrant workers were a sturdy, able, proud, and patriotic group. They were the same people who during World War II furnished many of the bravest soldiers in our Armed Forces.
I ask that you discontinue the use of this degrading and insulting term.
Respectfully yours,
John Steinbeck