To be clear, I’m only talking about the US. I don’t care what other countries do with their terminology. If they’re using “master/slave,” they’re already borrowing our terminology that came from an American. What’s so hard about borrowing again?
What I do know is that my Black team member is offended by master/slave terminology. Maybe their grandparents had a grandparent who was enslaved, and they don’t want to be reminded of that past every day at work. Their parents grew up in segregated schools with segregated bathrooms and water fountains. That experience is very much in living memory. It wasn’t that long ago in the grand scheme of things.
That’s more than enough for me to not use that terminology anymore.
This isn’t about political correctness, it’s about basic respect and empathy for other people.
I would argue that the US has unique racial tensions and that racism is deeply embedded within its system. Maybe if you live in a homogeneous culture racism doesn’t become so much of a problem. Not the case in the US.
That’s probably why in your perspective Americans can’t stop bringing up racism, because it’s such a pervasive issue in our society. There aren’t many other countries that have experienced anywhere near as much demographic change via immigration as the US.
> This isn’t about political correctness, it’s about basic respect and empathy for other people.
This is what it ultimately comes down to. Unfortunately, a large segment of our population doesn't value basic respect and empathy, and we end up with this current (ridiculous) 100+ comment thread.
My buddy goes by a nickname because he was originally named after his abusive father and he'd rather not be reminded of the guy. I have two choices: 1. I could insist on calling him by his original name using excuses like "Well, that's technically your name" and "I have the free speech right to call you by that name" and "I think changing one's name is dumb" and "Why should I lift a finger" and "You can’t force me to..." and blah blah blah, or 2. I can simply respect his wishes and call him by his preferred nickname.
Option 2 doesn't cost me anything, causes zero drama, and makes everything better. It's a no-brainer. Yet vast swaths of America seem to stubbornly want to go with option 1, on this and many similar issues, resulting in unnecessary fighting, grief, drama, protests, counter-protests, pain, suffering... all because they lack empathy.
What I do know is that my Black team member is offended by master/slave terminology. Maybe their grandparents had a grandparent who was enslaved, and they don’t want to be reminded of that past every day at work. Their parents grew up in segregated schools with segregated bathrooms and water fountains. That experience is very much in living memory. It wasn’t that long ago in the grand scheme of things.
That’s more than enough for me to not use that terminology anymore.
This isn’t about political correctness, it’s about basic respect and empathy for other people.
I would argue that the US has unique racial tensions and that racism is deeply embedded within its system. Maybe if you live in a homogeneous culture racism doesn’t become so much of a problem. Not the case in the US.
That’s probably why in your perspective Americans can’t stop bringing up racism, because it’s such a pervasive issue in our society. There aren’t many other countries that have experienced anywhere near as much demographic change via immigration as the US.