5 ms·

You can't call it a forbidden word list if no words are actually forbidden. This is a purposeful choice by the author to make these harmful word lists as bigge

• wonderwonder 4y ago
  If you work at these institutions and frequently use these words it will likely affect your career. So if you want to keep getting paid, these words are for most purposes, forbidden.
  • cool_dude85 4y ago
    Is it unfair, though? If I work at an academic institution and I'm sending out a bunch of emails to other professors using the n-word, is it wrong that I could get investigated based on that?
    • Invictus0 4y ago
      The forbidden word list contains such violent words as "man".
    • codekansas 4y ago
      By n-word do you mean "no-can-do" or "normal person"? Both on the Stanford Elimination of Harmful Language list
    • alpaca128 4y ago
      Nobody here talks about the n-word, but things like "master branch" or "sanity check". And the main problem is that organizations trying to ban those terms never even ask people with disabilities, different cultural origins etc for their opinion or permission. What gives them the right to decide what is hurtful for other people than themselves? Also it doesn't prevent problems like racism, it just hides them behind fake politeness.
      • ParetoOptimal 4y ago
        > And the main problem is that organizations trying to ban those terms never even ask people with disabilities, different cultural origins etc for their opinion or permission. Citation needed. Also untrue, i've witnessed these people consulted first-hand.
        • alpaca128 4y ago
          I stand corrected then, though I cannot believe those lists are completely based on that - one of the lists linked in the article recommends using "sex worker" instead of "child prostitute", which is objectively just terrible and hides child abuse behind a harmless generic term. Then there are pointless plays on words like "unhoused person" instead of "homeless person" and "enslaved person" instead of "slave". I agree offensive language should be avoided, and I couldn't care less what a git branch is called. But I think it is more offensive to affected people to play these linguistic games instead of taking measures that actually make a difference. Universities investing billions into real estate funds shouldn't lecture others about what wording is offensive to homeless people.
          • ParetoOptimal 4y ago
            > "unhoused person" instead of "homeless person" > "enslaved person" instead of "slave". Both 'homeless person' and 'slave' make the negative sound like a permanent unchangable state of affairs... as if that is that persons identity. But 'unhoused person' and 'enslaved person' make the negative sound like a very changeable state of affairs you have power over. > But I think it is more offensive to affected people to play these linguistic games instead of taking measures that actually make a difference. They aren't linguistic games. It's the same reason you tell your kid "you'll get them next time" instead of "you are a loser" if you value their mental health. The second one is technically true, but you know there is danger they'll feel like being a loser is their identity if they hear that too much.
            • wonderwonder 4y ago
              "Both 'homeless person' and 'slave' make the negative sound like a permanent unchangable state of affairs... as if that is that persons identity." No they don't. There was an entire civil war that established that regarding slavery. People go from homeless to not homeless all the time. These are very much linguistic games being played and the stakes are the careers of people that make the grevious mistake of not adhering to the made up rules.
    • low_tech_love 4y ago
      Your superficial understanding of the subject (i.e. mentioning the N-word, when that is not in any of these lists) is the fuel that these people need to keep rising in their careers and social circles. Way to give them a shoulder to step on.
    • jimbokun 4y ago
      Tell me who endorsed using the N-word?
    • wonderwonder 4y ago
      Come on, the n word is not what we are talking about. The references terms like "low income and poor". If you think they are equivalent then I'm at a loss. Or did you just not read the article?
    • wonderwonder 4y ago
      This sort of response is really why I find myself moving further right for the sake of my kids future. Normal Person: I think we should be able to say poor and homelessness. Leftist: oh you think it's ok to say the n word! You probably think the Nazis were right too. Normal Person: I don't want schools lying to me about my kids gender and don't think kids should be at sexually suggestive drag shows. Leftist: oh you don't think trans people have the right to exist. You probably think the Nazis were right too. Just the mental gymnastics required are astounding and no matter what you do there is always a gotcha. It's exhausting.
• Zak 4y ago
  From the title, I was expecting a list of racial slurs or the like. It actually lists things like gendered and stigmatized words with alternatives, which does smell like administrative bloat. https://studentaffairs.unc.edu/student-affairs-staff-portal/student-affairs-communications/inclusive-language/ https://studentaffairs.unc.edu/student-affairs-staff-portal/...