I should start with a former co worker who was my morning relief and also a shop steward in the union that represented me. Every day when he came in to start his shift we’d chat about various things and at some point in that conversation I’d say something that would cause more of his hair to fall out.
Then he’s say “EMS Artifact, you can’t say that! You’ll get in trouble.” He was half joking, but only half. Our overseers at the agency that controlled Sorta Big City EMS were humorless scolds and more than one person, including supervisors and managers, had ended up at HR explaining what they thought were innocuous statements, but ones at which someone took “offense.”
One of the nicer things about retiring is that I can pretty much say what I want, when I want, to whom I want.
Apparently, the self anointed geniuses at Brandeis University in Massachusetts want that to stop. They have come out with a list of words and phrases we must stop using in polite company if we want to be “woke.” Which is what we used to call “Politically Correct” only apparently that is no longer, uh, politically correct.
They have come up with an “Oppressive Language List” that they encourage people to learn and and make sure that they don’t use.
Oppressive Language List
PARC recognizes that language is a powerful tool that can be used to perpetrate and perpetuate oppression. As a community, we can strive to remove language that may hurt those who have experienced violence from our everyday use.
This list of recommendations for more-neutral language was developed, created, and continues to be managed by students involved with PARC. Suggestions are brought forth by students who have been impacted by violence or who have worked with others who are healing from violence, as well as students who have sought out advanced training for intervening in potentially violent situations.
This list is meant to be a tool to share information and suggestions about potentially oppressive language. Use of the suggested alternatives is not a university expectation, requirement or reflection of policy. As shared in Brandeis University’s Principles of Free Speech and Free Expression, the language you choose to use or not use is entirely up to you.
So, you can, but shouldn’t use the words in the various lists, if you don’t want to be an oppressor. Which, I’m guessing means a white person, particularly if you are a white male.
In there attempt not to be oppressive, they care categorizing a large chunk of the US population who happen to share a common or similar skin tone as oppressors.
Apparently, they never heard of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. or heard his speech. They are “credentialed, but not educated” so to speak. In other words, morons.
You can look up the list here and play “Offensive Language Bingo” if you want to entertain yourself. Personally, I’m going to use this as a sort of primer in things to say when I want to annoy idjits.
One thing you should know is that they don’t link to one source for any of their explanations. We were supposed to just assume* that these self appointed guardians of linguistically correct words are smarter than us. Right, pull the other one mate, it has bells on it.
In case you were wondering, the cost to send your young mutton head to Brandeis to be indoctrinated with foolishness like this is over $70,000.00 a year. Which is about half of what the plumber that most graduates will need to call when their sink gets stopped up will make.
Speaking of trades, if you have a youngster who is going to go to an overpriced four year adult day care such as Brandeis and most “liberal arts” colleges are they should also look for a nearby trade school where they can take classes in welding and/or becoming a machinist. Because when they come out with that $280,00.00 useless degree, they are going to need some sort of job to help pay back the student loans.
*You know what happens when you assume, don’t you?