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Magix Elite user 432 Posts |
I'd like to point out that some of the examples given earlier may be PC taken too far, in my opinion.
For example, nums mentions that a Janitor may want to be called a Sanitation Engineer. Janitor is a job title, not a slur. On the other hand, if Sanitation Engineer is what a person wants to refer to themselves as, it's no skin off my nose. I may think it's silly but it makes no real difference to me. Of course, referring to Garbagemen as Trash Collectors is PC that makes sense because it's gender nuetral. Concerning "blind" and "deaf", I know blind people and deaf people, and that is what they want to be called. Again, probably because that is what they are, and it is not considered a slur. There are probably others who prefer the terms "vision impaired" or "hearing impaired". OK, that's fine, too. For me, that's the bottom line - it's not about what I think should or should not be offensive to others. It's about what THEY find offensive. |
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vinsmagic Eternal Order sleeping with the fishes... 10957 Posts |
Peter writes he is of Italian descent. There are those who are Italian and then those who are of Italian descent and those who wish they were Italian.
vinny |
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
You got it, Vinnie!
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debaser Special user Boulder 557 Posts |
Nums - A dictionary defines all the uses of a specific word. It (usually) does not make a distinction of what those words imply.
I'm glad that you're not mad, I guess the word "hate" threw me off. If you have friends who are not doing their part, you can call them whatever you want. I just feel that you have to know before you can make such judgements. Matt |
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Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
Here's another recollection. A local friend of mine who lectures and presents optical illusions at museums etc. to parties of schoolchildren was given a 'dressing down' by a school teacher at the end of a session for saying "red Indian" instead of "native American". My friends and relatives in Australia have always used the term "Abbo" also, and I am wondering whether this should now be "native Australians". I know that the term white South Africans used was quite disgusting and demeaning - but are either of the above now still acceptable in 2003? (Will the MC delete the word "Abbo" even?).
As a piano player am I still allowed to play and name Claude Debussy's "Golliwog's Cake Walk"? The middle 8 bars of the old tune "The Sun Has Got His Hat On" has now been changed to "he's been tanning Negroes, out in Timbuktu". Where will these changes of the past 20 years or so end I wonder? Of course our 'Garbagemen' are 'Dustbinmen' or 'Binmen' here. I'm wondering when they will become 'Refuse Disposal Technicians' (or something similar). I was tempted to match your Webster's definitions of words by our Oxford English Dictionary - and say that these must be right as it's the English Dictionary the English use. But then you would probably point out the high French and other content in the English language, plus the great changes American English has made to English English - and we'd all get in a muddle!! |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
My personal favorite so far is that we are no longer supposed to refer to people as Oriental (which simply means east). The proper term now (at least at my place of employment) is Asian, a western term that lumps everyone into a single category.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Yes, isn't it amazing how the world changes?
The top rap singer today is white. The top golfer is black. And Germany doesn't want to go to war. |
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Andrew E. Miller Inner circle Southern California 1428 Posts |
I agree with you Peter. This is always something I keep in mind when performing for laymen. I never do anything that is ethnic or inappropriate; nothing that can be considered offensive. I have seen several magicians do something of the kind and it hurts to watch.
Andrew |
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ChrisZampese Veteran user Hamilton, NZ 341 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-04-10 18:12, Payne wrote: That's kinda' funny. Often when people are talking about how un-PC a term is they ignore the other side! The above quote is a great example (and I realise that it is only an example and not words straight from Payne's mouth). He is talking about having to use the word "Asian" as the term "Oriental" is offensive. All the while he is using the term "western" which lumps everyone into a single category! This seems to happen a lot, kind of a double standard. EG: Us "White" people in NZ can't use the term "Black" to describe the Maori population, but the term "White" is used by all (including Government officials) to describe those of "Western" descent. Guess we might come to a happy medium at some stage in the future.
The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are
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debaser Special user Boulder 557 Posts |
There are more terms than Asian or Latino or Western. The problem is you have to know where people come from before you can say words like Chinese, Mexican, or American. I don't know why it's such a big deal for people to have to refine their language.
Aceparties as far as your song goes I don't think you should change a word. As long as it's in a historical context I don't think anything should be changed. Chris - I see where you're coming from with the black/white thing, but that is something that is in the process of changing or being examined for change. There are many people who have no problem with the word black to describe African-Americans. For instance in the university I attend we use African-American in class but use the word black around campus (no matter who is in the conversation). Matt |
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