Star Tribune reporter disciplined over racial wording in e-mail

Star Tribune ^ | 12/17/04 | Paul Gustafson

[Pikamax]

Bloom County (1988-89) Steve Dallas and parents.

Mom: That's the most adorable little colored girl playing outside.

Steve: "Colored"?!? You're saying "colored people" in 1988?!? You know better, Ma.

Mom: Then why the "National Association for the Advancement of Colored People? I don't think Negroes mind at all.

Steve: Don't say "Negroes," Ma! You can't say "Negroes"!

Mom: Can I say "United Negro College Fund"?

Steve: You're baiting me, Ma!

Dad: That's it! We're leaving.

Mom: Stay put, Reginald. "Mister Socially Sensitive" isn't finished shaming his parents into enlightenment.

Steve: Everybody just calm down. Let's agree to use the the New-Age term "People of Color."

Mom: People of Color?

Steve: People of Color.

Mom: . . . Colored people.

Steve: NO!!!

Dad: We're leaving!

[Marysecretary]

When I read it, I thought he used the N word. Cheez, what next?

[Michael.SF.]

You made the point, I was about to make and in a better manner then I would have.

[susiek]

Maybe he just meant officers with jaundice or some other skin-coloring disease.

[KJacob]

And I thought white was a color.

[OldFriend]

Even after reading the entire article I still can't figure out what the complaint is..........

[Revolting cat!]

Remember, it's not "colored fuzz" it's "fuzz of color"!
And remember, it's not "pederasts", it's "people of gaiety".

(On a related note there was a thread today where someone harped Hitler being "gay". Wow, he was "gay", before gaiety was invented. A man ahead of his time!)

[sportutegrl]

The actually used the phrase, "Minneapolis Department officers of color" in the article. Why is this different from colored people, exactly?

[skip_intro]

And I thought white was a color.

White is the evil color.

[speed_addiction]

Oh fer crying outloud! Geez!

[JennysCool]

Thanks! Oh how I miss "Bloom County." Gentle skewering of all things hypocritical -- and hilarious, to boot!

[River_Wrangler]

Actually, white is a color. Black is the lack of color. Maybe that is the concern. ;~{)

[Bob]

Even after reading the entire article I still can't figure out what the complaint is..........

I think the problem is that he has upset the colored people over at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People by not referring to the policemen as Negroes (which, incidentally, probably would have upset the folks over at the United Negro College Fund.) I'm really not sure -- are there only 'Negroes' in the NAACP and 'colored people' at the UNCF or is it the other way around?

This guy's clearly in a no-win situation. No matter what he says or how he says it, he's certain to offend somebody's delicate sensibilities.

[Randjuke]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I have to think if an officer is really so offended by this type of piddly crap he shouldn't be wearing a badge in the first place.

[WildTurkey]

Actually, white is a color. Black is the lack of color. Maybe that is the concern. ;~{)

White is the ABSENCE of all color pigment. Black is the mixture of all colors.

[mhking]

David Chanen, a police reporter, told editors that he used the term "colored officers" in an e-mail sent Wednesday to Minneapolis Police Inspector Donald Banham, who is black.

Star Tribune Managing Editor Scott Gillespie sent a letter Thursday to Minneapolis Police Chief Bill McManus saying that the newspaper "owes you and your department a deep and sincere apology" for the language used in the e-mail.

F--- the politically correct!

[wallcrawlr]

I use "colored" all the time...even with my colored friends...sheesh.

I'm such a neanderthal

[Oztrich Boy]

The actually used the phrase, "Minneapolis Department officers of color" in the article. Why is this different from colored people, exactly?

1. If it has to be explained to you, you'll never understand.
2. I'll give you the explanaition, when someone explains it to me.

[Spok]

he used the term "colored officers"

Oh, the horror! Oh, the humanity!