The problem with trying to reform society through language is that we change the meaning of words more than the meanings change the way we think about the things they stand for. (Health centers are still hospitals, media centers are still libraries, physicians or health practicioners are still doctors and nurses.)
Look at how many names we've had in the past for people of African descent living in the U.S., because each one over time has been deemed too racially insensitive. It's at the point where even citizens of other (white; I haven't seen this happen with actual African countries) are called African Americans, and I have to correct them because after all they are not American... *eyeroll*
It's just far too much effort than it's worth. I hate having to relearn my language every few years.
Oh, thank you for saying this. It's really refreshing to see a bit of common sense instead of this...hmm...frankly, teenage-sounding fanaticism. I really wish people were lees hung up on words and more on deeds...
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Look at how many names we've had in the past for people of African descent living in the U.S., because each one over time has been deemed too racially insensitive. It's at the point where even citizens of other (white; I haven't seen this happen with actual African countries) are called African Americans, and I have to correct them because after all they are not American... *eyeroll*
It's just far too much effort than it's worth. I hate having to relearn my language every few years.
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Anyway, my cat owns me! :D
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