Posted by IsoM on January 14, 2003, at 19:53:41
In reply to Re: anti-Semitic language-- » OddipusRex, posted by Noa on January 14, 2003, at 18:53:15
Jumping in with a quick remark & then trying to stay out of it.
The older generation grew up with many bigoted expressions that were just taken as everyday words with little thought to how many were hurt. Expressions like "in a coon's age" or "Chinaman" instead of Chinese. Nigger was once thought acceptable (I've heard that it comes from nigre, the Spanish word for black, but I'm not positive). Even my Mom (who's 80 years old) uses words that I cringe at.
Often those who are older will use expressions that aren't suitable now. I'm glad that many words are being dropped from polite speech. If we were the ones these were directed at, we'd feel hurt too. But the lengths to which some have gone to keep things politically correct is ridiculous & many can see that. I'm never sure whether the correct term is "handicapped" or "impaired" or "disadvantaged" or what now is the preferred term. It's changed too often.
Perhaps becasue the extent of this new political correctness, some think there's no need to stop using older slang expressions that hurt. But if we make the change to a new manner of expression that considers feelings, cultures, & backgrounds of everyone, hopefully over time, most will be spoken of in a respectful manner, even if they're not always thought of with respect.
I'm all for keeping all prejudiced expressions out of our speech. Instead of saying "greedy Jews" why not say a greedy guy? Does the fact one is Jewish help our understanding of the situation? Did it clear up anything we needed to know about? If not, then it shouldn't be mentioned. There's as many greedy people in almost all cultures. If, however, this person was to steal from a synagogue then the fact he was Jewish might matter. Identifying a person by his/her culture or background rather than qualitites does little to enlighten any one.
poster:IsoM
thread:8766
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20021128/msgs/8801.html