Do you think this has been influenced by the multicultural Left? Who decides what 'offends' anyone and if that rises to the level of institutional concern? Will there be any pushback on this? http://www.emerson.edu/creative-services/editorial-style-guide/guidelines-inclusive-language EDITORIAL STYLE GUIDE GUIDELINES FOR INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE Bias-Free Content Statement Emerson College is committed to an active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity—in people; in the curriculum; in the co-curriculum; and in the College’s intellectual, social, cultural, and geographical communities. Emerson endorses a framework of inclusive excellence, which recognizes that institutional excellence comes from fully engaging with diversity in all aspects of institutional activities. This commitment extends to the language we use in our daily verbal communication. Community members should avoid using language that is insensitive to cultural differences or that excludes or offends any group of people (based on their ability/disability, age, ethnicity and race, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation, etc.). Ask yourself whether it is appropriate to your communication to share a particular fact about a person (pertaining to social identity, e.g., age, ethnicity). In some circumstances, a person’s or group’s social identity will be irrelevant to what you are communicating, while in other circumstances it will be a very important part of the context. Abilities/Disabilities When referring to people with disabilities, emphasize the person first and then the disability. Use person with a disability, not disabled person or handicapped person. Use person who uses a wheelchair instead of wheelchair-bound person. Avoid words with negative connotations, such as stricken or victim. The use of “someone living with ___” is generally accepted: “someone living with depression” or “someone who has cerebral palsy.” People with almost complete vision loss are considered blind or legally blind (20/200 vision). Those who have partial sight may prefer the term low vision, limited vision, or visually impaired. If possible, ask for a person’s preference. People who have total hearing loss are deaf. Those with partial hearing loss are hard of hearing. Again, ask for a person’s preference. Some people with partial hearing loss who identify with the Deaf community prefer to be called deaf/Deaf, for example. When referring to Deaf culture, the d is capitalized: Deaf. Do not use the word normal to describe people without disabilities. Use accessible parking rather than handicapped parking. For guidance on usage of specific terms such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, depression, and intellectually disabled, see the National Center on Disability and Journalism’s style guide. Ethnic and Racial Designations Some races and ethnicities have multiple terms associated with them. When possible, ask for a person’s preference (e.g., Native American vs. American Indian). Native American: A member of any of the first groups of people living in North America. (Other terms: American Indian, First Nation, or Indigenous person) Latino/a or LatinX: Refers to someone of Latin American origin. Hispanic: Refers to someone of Spanish-speaking origin. Spanish: Refers to someone who is from Spain. African American: Refers to someone of African origin. Some people who have generations of American ancestors prefer the term black. Asian American: Refers to someone of Asian origin. This is a diverse population with ancestral origins in South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Learn more about terms relating to Asian culture: Asian American Journalists Association Learn more about terms relating to black culture: National Association of Black Journalists When referring to race, lowercase black and white. Use historically underrepresented groups or people of color instead of minorities. People of color are actually the majority in many large U.S. cities. Do not use a hyphen in ethnic classifications such as African American or Italian American.
How exactly does an educational guide for students, many of whom are stepping out of their tiny little non-diverse towns for the first time in their lives, on social sensitivities be a problem for people like you? Are you afraid that students will be too nice to certain groups you don't like or something? Are you upset that people won't feel free to offend people who didn't look like them the way you did to make yourself feel superior?
Interesting. So if one were do a reboot of the "The Dukes of Hazard" TV show, but cast two Japanese Americans for the parts of Beau and Luke, and changed the title to "The Gooks of Hazard" would it still be considered offensive since "Gook" is a term that historically refers to people of Vietnamese origin?
Good manners are fine, but all of that nonsense about inclusive diversity is just politically correct claptrap. No, Ma'am! I will not refer to you as a person of color from a historically underrepresented group of people.
