March 07, 2007
PC Dictionary Update
I apologize if I've ever used and offended anyone by using the term Stone Age to refer to any person or groups alive today.
The phrase "stone age" has been labelled offensive by anthropologists who say it should not be used to describe living peoples. It also says that "primitive" or "savage" are no longer acceptable terms for such groups of people.Such terms damage the welfare of tribal people, say anthropologists. "All anthropologists would agree that the negative use of the terms 'primitive' and 'stone age' to describe [tribal peoples] has serious implications for their welfare," says a statement from the anthropologists' professional association.
ALL anthorpologists? What a special group to have unanimous agreement or, at least, to have the leftists say so.
So, today, how would this cramp the style of Gen. Curtis E. Lemay, who said "We should bomb Vietnam back into the 'stone age'" "Paleolithic" just doesn't have the same ring to it.
Anyway, watch what you call people. There are some who get offended (video) by insinuating that they are "pretty boys" or anything else that you call them.
Are we going to hear from the insurance caveman on this? (Go to his site and entertain yourself checking out his pad. Just don't say that the decorating scheme appears "stone age.")
What picky, insensitive words am I going to have to watch out for tomorrow?
Posted by Woody M. at March 7, 2007 12:00 PM | TrackBackThe ironies of life will vindicate you, GM. Tribal peoples exposed to Western ways often adopt them, and then refer to the ways of their immediate forebears as "stone age," or similar. You don't have to say it. They'll say it for you.
Posted by Assistant Village Idiot at March 7, 2007 06:06 PM
AVI, Woody posted that... but, I'll have to confess that I too think most of the savages of the far left's tribe of stone-age thinkers are not to be trusted with anything remotely resembling the reins of government. Having said that, I'll now turn myself over to the PC police.
Posted by GM at March 8, 2007 07:16 AM
Should we be offended when the left calls us Neanderthals? Maybe they need to be made aware of this issue.
Posted by Woody at March 8, 2007 08:28 AM
GM - the left isn't "stone-age thinkers", they are "stoned-age thinkers."
When I worked at a camp three summers during college, I was affectionally called "Troglodyte" because of my size and the popular song at the time. Now, I'm offended! I need to track the other camp counselors and campers down and extract an apology.
Posted by DADvocate at March 8, 2007 08:39 AM
Woody, you got my wheels turning and I wrote a post taking apart the arguments of the statement and its sympathizers.
Then again, their credo must be: all cultures are equal, but some are more equal than others (and ours is less equal).
I couldn't get the trackback to operate.
Posted by civil truth at March 8, 2007 04:35 PM
