h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On the subject of political correctness I think Tolkien was pretty liberal, considering he was born in the 19th century when children saw black people as terrifying little "golliwog" dolls with huge red lips and women were meant to neither be seen nor heard. It is quite surprsing he gave any part at all to women, let alone having a 'shield-maiden' who was prepared not only to fight but also to die in the service of her country. As for blackness being associated with evil, I think this comes not from racial issues but from the natural human fear of the dark and whatever may lurk therin.