Politically Correct OTD
Out of context: Reply #246
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- _niko1
here's another gem by what's become Canada's version of the Onion:
Words and phrases you may want to think twice about using:
Blackmail, blacklist and black sheep
"The issue here is that these are all negative terms," said Joseph Smith, an anti-racism trainer and educator. "[It] connotes evil, distrust, lack of intelligence, ignorance, a lack beauty — the absence of white."
This lowering of blackness on the spectrum with regards to value was developed further in the wake of the transatlantic slave trade but it also predates that, explained Smith.
Grandfathered in
Likewise, the phrase grandfathered in — modernly referring to someone or a business being exempt from new rules and continue operating as is — dates back to a 19th century policy called the "grandfather clause," which indirectly stopped Black Americans from voting by limiting eligibility to only those whose ancestors could vote.
"It's re-inscribing the idea of a male-dominated society or world."
"At a meeting, let's say you said 'grandfathered in' — you had no idea that it has racist roots. If a Black person asks you not to use that term, then don't," said Taniguchi.
Spooky
The term "spook" — used sometimes to refer to a ghost, spy, or something that's strange and frightening (often used during Halloween) — has a history of being an anti-Black slur when white soldiers began calling fellow Black soldiers as "spooks" during World War II.
"[It's offensive] because of who and to what it's applied to," said Smith.
"There's a history behind it and there's also all these connections that are made to other groups," he said. "It's almost like these terms have tentacles that spread and attach themselves to other things and infect."
Brainstorm, blindsided and blind-spot
The prefix blind is often used in metaphorical terms like blindsided, blind spot and blind leading the blind, to describe the limitation of sight.
"I can see that being offensive to people who can't see," said Julie Cashman, a member of the disability community and co-chair of Consumer Action Committee, which advocates for individuals with disabilities.
Using the term brainstorm could also be insensitive to those who have brain injuries or are neurodiverse, added Cashman.
"More important is the stigma that it will effectuate about ... disorders [like] epilepsy for example," said Kalra.
First-world problem
People have slowly moved away from using the term third world to describe low-income countries, says Kalra, but the phrase first-world problem is still used to convey that something is an issue only to those who live in a country with privilege and wealth.
It can be classist, she said.
"When we're saying first world, we're putting them at the top ... What does it convey?" she said. "Why do we have to use these prefixes, which kind of dehumanize some country or some human being or a group?"
Tone deaf
Though it's used to describe someone who's not able distinguish musical pitch, or metaphorically as someone who's insensitive to certain matters, tone deaf may not be a kind term to those who have hearing impairments.
Cashman suggests using descriptors like "musically disinclined" instead. Insensitive is another suggestion.
- lol wild shit mannb
- I'd bet many people at CBC would want to publish this so that there would be a backlash. I don't think writers believe this bullshitnb
- well I have to say that the term blacklist and black sheep is being discussed actively in some circles I know since the end of the 80's so no surprise there...oey_oey
- ...and i totally agree with what's written.oey_oey
- the only terms I never heard of being discussed are the grandfathered in and the blind...oey_oey
- and I can say I totally follow the logic and find it very important to try to explain to people why is it so and the best way is communication building empathy.oey_oey
- Empathy, respect, awareness and acknowledgment are essential for the change to take place.oey_oey
- First-world problemsGnash
- just because words have roots in obscure and outdated practices, getting offended by them 200 years later is absurd. Grandfathered in is such an obvious term_niko
- people instantly get that it means doing something before the rules changed so you get to keep doing it. Nobody has thought it meant anything else for centuries_niko
- if we go down this path, and look hard enough, every single expression and word has offended someone at some point in history._niko
- idiotic. Victimization seems to be the hottest currency in "journalism" these days._niko
- my frequencies have increasedcanoe
- add to the list the word 'looting' - it is not to be used and is deemed racisthotroddy
- Instead of ‘looting’ use the word, redistribution, or the phrase, luxury-goods equityGnash
- add to the list of words someone has looked at to see whether some might find them insensitive, but that you're fully entitled to carry on usingFax_Benson
- By that 'logic' @oey_oey — was it fine to use terms like blacklist etc *before* previously called negro/coloured/etc people decided to call themselves black?NonEntity
- I mean, it was clearly an act of self-affirmation, right?NonEntity
- Instead of the word 'logic', I would prefer it if you used the term 'prissy socio-historical ignorance', if that's ok.NonEntity