12 Words That the University of New Hampshire Has Deemed ‘Problematic’
by Jennifer Van Laar, IJReview: When students arrive on campus at the University of New Hampshire this fall, they’ll be welcomed with a “Bias-Free Language Guide” to help them in their conversations.
Since college campuses have become very concerned with “microaggressions” being committed on their campuses, UNH decided to help their students understand which words might offend others.
But, according to Campus Reform:
The university website encourages readers to understand that the guide “is not a means to censor but rather to create dialogues of inclusion where all of us feel comfortable and welcomed.” A few of the words which are deemed “problematic” are:
For each category, the University makes recommendations that, for the most part, are much longer and contain multiple words.
Instead of “poor person,” for instance, the student should say “person who lacks advantages that others have.” Mothering and fathering are frowned upon because they advance gender stereotypes. Instead, one should use “parenting” or “nurturing” because they describe the behavior.
“European-American individuals” is the favored term over “Caucasian.” And instead of “healthy,” use “non-disabled individual.”
The purpose is to:
“…not stereotype or demean people based on personal characteristics.” Students will be able to access the university’s 4,750-word web page to easily understand which words they are supposed to use when conversing with their peers.
Tags: university of New Hampshire, controlling vocabulary, words, bias-free To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
Since college campuses have become very concerned with “microaggressions” being committed on their campuses, UNH decided to help their students understand which words might offend others.
But, according to Campus Reform:
- American
- Mothering
- Fathering
- Illegal Alien
- Caucasian
- Homeless
- Poor person
- Obese
- Overweight
- Healthy
- Orientals
- Freshmen
For each category, the University makes recommendations that, for the most part, are much longer and contain multiple words.
Instead of “poor person,” for instance, the student should say “person who lacks advantages that others have.” Mothering and fathering are frowned upon because they advance gender stereotypes. Instead, one should use “parenting” or “nurturing” because they describe the behavior.
“European-American individuals” is the favored term over “Caucasian.” And instead of “healthy,” use “non-disabled individual.”
The purpose is to:
Tags: university of New Hampshire, controlling vocabulary, words, bias-free To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
4 Comments:
I wonder what their opinion of pansy is?
Problematic alright!
This type of stuff just makes me shake my head.....Surely our government knows that they, nor anyone else, can ever control the words that we the people speak; and to attempt to tell people not to say American is just pushing buttons on purpose.
A "bias free language guide" is automatically biased b/c of those who don't agree with the guidelines therein. I think that is offensive!! ;)
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