The reason it took so long was because Awdry refused to have it changed, writing articles about how he used the word regularly. He only backed down when he received a letter from a mother telling him that "I adopted a West Indian baby and she has thankfully not heard the derisory term yet. She starts school after Christmas so no doubt it will come, but I do not expect to find it in a children's book!" Awdry apologised, but not before blaming the publishers despite him previously insisting on it being printed.
you would have a point if the word had any relevance in this context other than racism. but this is just naked, blatant racism and no child should have to read it in its original form.
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u/TSD-ragon 3d ago
It took them twenty years to change the wording.