2008 Woodie Awards
Political Correctness
Reflections
Anthony Maalouf
Issue date: 9/6/05 Section: Forum
Upon welcoming new students to WCU, I told some of my own stories as a "freshman," only to find myself being told that the use of such wording is "sexist." Oh, joy. Hear we go again. Freshman or First-Year? Which term do you prefer?
"Freshman" is what I am used to, and "first year" just doesn't have the same ring to it. In fact, I never heard of freshmen referred to as "first year students" before coming to WCU. I did hear the term "frosh" used sometimes.
The argument out there is that because "man" is present in "freshman," the word is inherently sexist. Words are sexist?
Never mind the predators who stalk innocent women at night, or the CEO's who abuse their female employees. We need to pick on some daily word in the English language. Believe it or not, this is actually considered a "scholarly debate."
While we're at it, let's ban the words "mankind," "human" and "chairman." Let's change woman to "womyn" and female to "femail." These words are generally understood today, not to refer just to men, but to women, as well. It is simply a matter of the way that English language is structured that the masculine gender is used for a plural where both male and female members are present. Latin languages follow this pattern, as well. To suggest that we recreate the words tofit the needs of a few ambitious activists is to surrender our freedom of thought to being PC, or politically correct.
I'm not saying we shouldn't be sensitive, but when we whine about words so basic like "mankind," we're taking this too far. It's time to settle this squabble about semantics and move on to real issues.
I refuse to invoke "self-censorship," and routinely worry about offending others all the time. Sometimes, I find myself thinking more of what not to say then what to say. Scary, huh? So, I am happily rejecting PC in favor of free thought. We don't need political correctness to make us think we are not civilized on our own and must have our thoughts
"Freshman" is what I am used to, and "first year" just doesn't have the same ring to it. In fact, I never heard of freshmen referred to as "first year students" before coming to WCU. I did hear the term "frosh" used sometimes.
The argument out there is that because "man" is present in "freshman," the word is inherently sexist. Words are sexist?
Never mind the predators who stalk innocent women at night, or the CEO's who abuse their female employees. We need to pick on some daily word in the English language. Believe it or not, this is actually considered a "scholarly debate."
While we're at it, let's ban the words "mankind," "human" and "chairman." Let's change woman to "womyn" and female to "femail." These words are generally understood today, not to refer just to men, but to women, as well. It is simply a matter of the way that English language is structured that the masculine gender is used for a plural where both male and female members are present. Latin languages follow this pattern, as well. To suggest that we recreate the words tofit the needs of a few ambitious activists is to surrender our freedom of thought to being PC, or politically correct.
I'm not saying we shouldn't be sensitive, but when we whine about words so basic like "mankind," we're taking this too far. It's time to settle this squabble about semantics and move on to real issues.
I refuse to invoke "self-censorship," and routinely worry about offending others all the time. Sometimes, I find myself thinking more of what not to say then what to say. Scary, huh? So, I am happily rejecting PC in favor of free thought. We don't need political correctness to make us think we are not civilized on our own and must have our thoughts
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