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The only thing I'm confused about is why a reporter can't use a term like "ethnic tension" as a high-level overview term and then also devote many paragraphs to

The only thing I'm confused about is why a reporter can't use a term like "ethnic tension" as a high-level overview term and then also devote many paragraphs to explain in detail the precise meaning in that particular context. Seems like that is how reporting works in every other domain.

tptacek 5y ago
The point of the article is that the term "ethnic tension" is used as a crutch, in lots of places, to avoid doing the actual reporting on what conflicts are about. You can use the term and still do the work, but if you don't use the term at all, you have to do the work, hence the style guide ban.
- mkr-hn 5y ago
  My favorite thing is when people apply anglosphere reporting norms to the US. January 6th becomes sectarian violence as security forces clash with extremists over a contested election. It sounds just as absurd applied elsewhere, but we're so used to hearing it in that context. It all boils down to "[ethnicity] is at it again!" when applied to oft-stereotyped peoples.
  - gaganyaan 5y ago
    That seems like a pretty reasonable summary of January 6th to me. Maybe summaries like that are fine?
boomboomsubban 5y ago
What benefit is there to using the term "ethnic tension" in the high level overview over using "tension?" If you want to be imprecise, why add the additional info at all?
- stolenmerch 5y ago
  Probably the same reason it might be useful to say "racial bias" instead of just "bias" or "religious conflict" instead of just "conflict". It frames the topic as having a complex, historical context. Again, the reporter would then drill down into precise meanings and investigate nuanced causes.
  - uncletaco 5y ago
    Interesting enough “racial bias” and “religious conflict” are more precise descriptors of ethnic tension.
  - boomboomsubban 5y ago
    Those two adjectives at least tell me something, that there's a racial element or a difference of religion. "Ethnic" means it could involve racism, a difference in religion, a cultural disagreement or a couple other things. It may rule out that it's political tension or something like sports hooliganism, but even those can also be part of "ethnic tensions."

tptacek 5y ago

The point of the article is that the term "ethnic tension" is used as a crutch, in lots of places, to avoid doing the actual reporting on what conflicts are about. You can use the term and still do the work, but if you don't use the term at all, you have to do the work, hence the style guide ban.

mkr-hn 5y ago
My favorite thing is when people apply anglosphere reporting norms to the US. January 6th becomes sectarian violence as security forces clash with extremists over a contested election. It sounds just as absurd applied elsewhere, but we're so used to hearing it in that context. It all boils down to "[ethnicity] is at it again!" when applied to oft-stereotyped peoples.
- gaganyaan 5y ago
  That seems like a pretty reasonable summary of January 6th to me. Maybe summaries like that are fine?

boomboomsubban 5y ago

What benefit is there to using the term "ethnic tension" in the high level overview over using "tension?" If you want to be imprecise, why add the additional info at all?

stolenmerch 5y ago
Probably the same reason it might be useful to say "racial bias" instead of just "bias" or "religious conflict" instead of just "conflict". It frames the topic as having a complex, historical context. Again, the reporter would then drill down into precise meanings and investigate nuanced causes.
- uncletaco 5y ago
  Interesting enough “racial bias” and “religious conflict” are more precise descriptors of ethnic tension.
- boomboomsubban 5y ago
  Those two adjectives at least tell me something, that there's a racial element or a difference of religion. "Ethnic" means it could involve racism, a difference in religion, a cultural disagreement or a couple other things. It may rule out that it's political tension or something like sports hooliganism, but even those can also be part of "ethnic tensions."