Squaw?

So I came across a news story about an area I used to hang out in when I was younger, and site of the 1960 olympics. California county defies Biden and Newsom administrations on move to rename Squaw Valley (msn.com)... though the Squaw Valley ski resort apparently already renamed itself to Palisades Tahoe. When I first heard the name of the place as a child my thought was, "Oh that's a place native americans used to call home." A valley named after young native american women.

Before this article, I had actually never heard that "squaw" was an offensive word, but I suppose I have heard of it being used in a rude way I just didn't know it had tainted the word for all uses. I mean, the word "woman" can be used in a disrespectful, neutral or a reverent way too, and without that word communication is impaired. It depends on context. So any word that has ever been used in a rude way against a group of people becomes completely taboo? It seems petty and thin-skinned. Can't the PC babies just stop whining and let places keep their historical names?

 

from wikipedia

The term squaw is considered universally offensive by Indigenous groups in America and the First Nations due to its use for hundreds of years in a derogatory context,[3] and due to usage that demeans Native American women, ranging from condescending images (e.g., picture postcards depicting "Indian squaw and papoose") to racialized epithets.[10][11] Alma Garcia has written, "It treats non-white women as if they were second-class citizens or exotic objects."[10]

iow, it was part of the genocidal propaganda effort to dehumanize the tribal women during their extermination. remove it from the map and from your vocabulary.

 

Why?

What's wrong with not insulting people when all you have to do is change the name of something? What is so "sacred" about a name?

Can you provide a real reason other than "let's just keep insulting people for the sake of my nostalgia for our racist past"

 

The question shouldn't be do you find it offensive. It should be doe the person/persons to whom it refers find it offensive.

 

I just don't agree that it's an insult because it is one of their words that they used for neutral purposes for a long time. Any word can be used with disdain. So if people make a habit of using any word with disdain suddenly that word must not be used to protect people's feelings? It just goes too far. They need to grow a thicker skin and think about things that actually matter instead of manufacturing problems that no one even needs to think about.

There is no right to not be offended. Because there is free speech and anyone can be offended by anything

 

I hear the word woman is now offensive to some. Democrat should change the definition of that word... Oh wait....

 

It's not suddenly. Just because you only recently found out about it doesn't mean it just poped up out of nowhere.

 

It doesn't matter if it's suddenly ( the key word in that sentence was actually habit which showed it had occurred over time) the point is there's no right to never be offended and Free Speech exists. And objectively it's a neutral term, i e. less understandably offensive than gay people being called bundles of wood.

 

There is no right to not be offended that is correct.

That doesn't mean we shouldn't try to not be offensive once we are aware some take offense.

We really shouldn't get offended because people decide to change language because some find it offensive.

 

Then I demand that Cracker, Montana change the name immediately!

 

Stupidity causing needless trouble does annoy me, particularly when it's something that need not affect them at all, they're just choosing to be offended, but I am fine with the people who live there deciding whether to change or keep the name. I think they should keep it.

 

So you are offended and annoyed because they choose to be offended? I am offended that you are offended that they are offended.

Seriously if they find the word demeaning why should'nt reasonable people notice that and defer instead of insisting they accept that it upsets you and they need to defer? Why do some people wish to assign blame not to those who use the term as a slur to those which the word slurs?

 

lol, I'm not the one asking for something to be changed. No because if you constantly defer and constantly have to watch what you say because everything offends somebody you create this hellscape of stifled speech and fakeness. A whole society being afraid to speak while others are crying over nothing.

 

Any word on the fake Indian Democrat politicians position?

 

If they think re-naming stuff makes up for taking the land from them then let them go for it. Everyone wants to pretend they feel for the Native Americans (who got hosed way worse than blacks did), but I don't see anyone giving up their private property for them
Just more BS lefty FAKE virtue signaling

 

But according to native Americans no one can own the land so that means it was not stolen from them. You can't steal something unless someone owns it.

 

Ha! Thats why I started my own group: People Offended by Offended People. (P.O.O.P.)

 

It doesn't matter what you "agree" with. It only matters what the people who feel insulted agree with.

Believe me, you can actually stop using the word ... and LIVE

Of course you have a right to be a S.O.B. Just be careful that the person you're insulting isn't bigger than you, and with a short temper.

 

Sure! Just try calling a MAGA white supremacist biker "woman" and you're likely to get a black eye.

 

You are so correct. We called a Mountain in Central Phoenix "Squaw Peak" for years. I loved climbing that mountain. Never thought a thing rude about it! Then the activist got word and they changed it to a name of an Indian women Piestua Peak who died in defense of the country. I can barely pronounce it let alone spell it therefore it will remain Squaw Peak to me. No offence to this lady with the new name. I can honor and respect her separately!

 

Today every American left of center feels insulted. There's just no winning! It's their way or the highway!

 

Did she hurt you badly?

 

A thread about being offended, because other people get offended?

 

Maybe that means every American right of center is used to a history of insulting people and not even thinking twice about it. Now they are being made aware of it.

It's not really their fault. It's part of the particularly racist past in our history. But now it's time to re-learn how to interact with people politely. It's called "maturity".

Yeah... you either treat minorities politely, or it's the highway for you. Even if you don't think they are your "equals", you do need to make an effort ant treat them with respect. Don't let growing pains get the best of you. It is not as difficult to be polite with others as you seem to think.

 

It is?