SPJ Diversity Committee launches journalistic campaign against the term ‘illegal immigrant’

Daily Caller ^ | 12/27/2010 | Matthew Boyle

[arthurus]

This is like the evolving terms for those who used to be Negros and for people who used to be retarded. The problem is not the term used. It is the fact that the people the terms refer to are disdained and not approved by the rest of the society. So long as that disapproval continues the terms used, no matter what they are will, will rapidly gain the pejorative sense and the campaign to retire the terms in favor of terms perceived to be more euphonious will continue. Changing the terms does not change the disdain factor.

[freespirited]

Maybe someone will start a campaign explaining how offensive terms like “undocumented Americans” are to normal people.

[The Comedian]

Let's call them Muslims.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[bruinbirdman]

"That, by definition makes them ILLEGAL."

Personally, I'm rather favorably disposed to STIGMA.

Call a spade a spade, illegal alien. There's no immigrant about it.

yitbos

[mulan]

Yes, and they need to assimilate themselves as Americans, especially learning to speak English! And very very important that they should be more serious about education and knowledge, improving their IQ as a whole.

[Zeppo]

In his report, Laurence quotes SPJ Diversity Committee chairman George Daniels as saying, “this is not about being politically correct,” but about aiming to “minimize harm,” when reporting.

Translation: This is about being politically correct.

Professional journalists?

Nope - professional liars is the correct term.

[srajan]

So by this definition, people who embezzle will have “undocumented riches” since the term illegal gains sounds so accusatory. I wonder what SPJ would have thought is the right word for a Wall Street swindler before conviction - “undocumented millionaire and philanthropist” perhaps?

[bruinbirdman]

"people who embezzle will have “undocumented riches"

Word Nazis would make the word "illegal" illegal.

yitbos