Politically Correct American goes after Venice newsletter

VeniceWord ^ | 5/6/2002 | VeniceWord

[07055]

Dear Subscribers, thanks for this week's messages of yours, about the question: how do you feel tourists are treated in venice? Some of the most interesting answers can be read in our page:

http://www.veniceword.com/aboutvenice2.html

We publish here our response to a remark from a subscriber, who refers to our past issue: "I think for some of your American readers the word "colored" to describe African hawkers is quite offensive. I am sure that this was an innocent mistake but one that should be corrected. Simply saying "African" hawkers would be sufficient".

Thanks for your remark: we apologize, it is a common and unintentional mistake for Italians, as in Italian "di colore" would be instead a "politically correct" expression in this case (strange, isn't it?)... here follow the news from your "second hometown", as usual. Best to you all, and have a good --- colourful :) --- week,

[07055]

The background of this controversy is that the newsletter reported about how African vendors had taken over the sidewalks of Venice---to the consternation of many of the local shop-owners.

In the article, the author referred to the vendors as "colored"---only to be criticized by a politically correct American.

This is what I sent to the newsletter:

Don't worry about this supposed mistake. In America, there is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Does anyone tell them that their name is "quite offensive"? No, of course not.

In fact, many people of African ancestry in American want to be called "People of Color." How is that different from "Colored People'? ;-)

Some people just want to complain. I love the Italian people--whatever race they may be!

Keep up the good work!

If you want to support this newsletter, write to them at:

veniceword@veniceword.com

[vbmoneyspender]

Phil Hendry (he hosts a radio show) had a funny bit about 'people of color' who get upset at people who talk about 'colored people'

[vbmoneyspender]

As Hendry put it, you get in trouble if you refer to a person of color as a 'colored person', but not if you refer to a colored person as a 'person of color'.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I'll be in Italy in a couple of weeks...I'll be sure to avoid saying or doing anything that could upset a fellow P.C. American.

[07055]

Where in Italy?

[MindyW]

I'm so jealous. I used to live there in the '60s. I met some of the nicest people there and I miss the place. I think another visit is in order.