3 ms·
The premise that the USDA avoided calling this the Northern Asian Giant Hornet to avoid the implication that this came from North Korea seems quite absurd to me
by lupusreal 2y ago
The premise that the USDA avoided calling this the Northern Asian Giant Hornet to avoid the implication that this came from North Korea seems quite absurd to me.
- woodruffw 2y agoThe premise was “Asian,” not “Northern Asian.” The latter appears to be speculation in this thread.
- lupusreal 2y agoHuh? The North Korea confusion angle was raised to explain why they might not have called it the Northern Asian Giant Hornet to distinguish it from the Southern Asian variety. That's what I'm responding to, nested in the thread.
- bell-cot 2y agoIn a better world, it would be absurd. But America has quite a few no-excuse-is-too-weak xenophobes, who have a documented history of violence against random strangers, for the "crime" of looking "Asian".
- lupusreal 2y agoThat could explain why they don't want to call it Asian, but not why they would want to avoid an implication that it came from North Korea specifically.
- bell-cot 2y agoI'm not paying close attention here, but the "because North Korea..." seems like a useful diversion, if your goals look like: 1 - Announce the seeming eradication of a dangerous invasive species 2 - While minimizing "any excuse" xenophobic human nastiness related to saying "Asian" 3 - And disguise your second goal, to minimize accusations of "pro-Asian Wokery" (or whatever phrase the nut jobs on that side of the culture wars are currently using) from your #2 4 - Also minimize left-wing backlash (I've no clue what phrases they'd use) to your #3 scheme 5 - ...
- greggsy 2y agoThat’s not what I meant. I’m poking holes in the ridiculous theory that they were holding back on using the word ‘Asian’.
- kbutler 2y agoBut that "ridiculous theory" was part of the stated motivation of the person who authored the submission for the new name. """ Furthermore, anti-Asian sentiment and hate crimes have risen during the COVID-19 pandemic, Looney notes, and labeling an invasive species perceived negatively as “Asian” can be harmful all around. """ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/murder-hornets-asian-giant-hornets-new-name https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/murder-ho...