You Can't Say That: Forbidden words and the ridiculous "education" guidelines that forbid them.

The Wall Street Journal Opinion Journal ^ | February 13, 2004 | Diane Ravitch

[JustPlainJoe]

Oh Brother! How about the word "is". After all, it has many interpretations to many people. Some of those interpretations just may offend somebody!

I say we WIPE it out! Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

[Askel5]

What a queer article to be posting at this site.

[3catsanadog]

I guess Bob Dylan was a neanderthal.

[frithguild]

I guess the book I'm working on won't go over to well. It's title is, "Yachting with the Primitive Cowboy Cult and the Landlord Brotherhood."

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP - EDUCATION AND POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

[SarahW]

Somebody explain to me why it is necessary to defer to the "muslim culture", i.e., the superstitious beliefs of *any* creed *especially* those from foreign lands.

[anniegetyourgun]

These so-called bias review committees at publishing houses are a result of the demands of government schools and their 80-pages RFP's. There is hardly a good text out there for any subject (even math), and most are written by committee - cut a paste/click and drop jobs.

Adults feed young people this kind of bunk, disengaged parents sit on their nates, and then we all wonder why quality is job #29 in this country.

[Tax-chick]

Who's offended by yacht? People who can't spell it? Care to join me for a cruise on my expensive recreational watercraft?

[anniegetyourgun]

Yeah...well, intrep #8, LK....and don't get me started on this....

; ]

[Tax-chick]

You can't say "black ice" ... it implies that "normal" ice is white.

[Space Wrangler]

Yes, someone must tell me how yacht got onto the list as being offensive. Care to take a ride on my 'luxurious floating vehicle'??

[Sonny M]

Um, my family is in real estate, we're landlords, how would I describe my families occupation then?

[watchin]

"Niggardly" is notoriously banned from public use.

Which makes me wonder what they do with the Spanish-speaking students, who use the word "NEGRO" for "BLACK"?

Maybe it's okay since it's pronounced "NAYGRO"?

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

I find the various groups that are offended by "such" words to be offensive themselves.NO REAL AMERICAN WOULD DO WHAT THESE WALKING FECES(sorry,i meant to say sh*t)ARE DOING!

[Blue Screen of Death]

Oh Brother!

Oh, Sibling! I guess you did not get the memo.

[Seeking the truth]

[no_problema]

so why do i see "sisterhood" routinely in newspapers?

[Aeronaut]

If you are elected as a P.C. leader of a committee you are the chairperson - clearly a male offspring reference, therefore sexist.

[watchin]

It's all about political correctness. How about "tyrants"? Or "oppressors of the poor and downtrodden"? Land Sharks?

No, once it is decided that we cannot offend even the evil landlord, we choose a more complex term ... how about "multiple living space occupancy supervisor"?