Hurricane Names Go Politically Correct

The Hill ^ | July 29, 2003 | Bill Thomas

[Southern California]

Hurricane Latonya?
Hurricane Names Raise a Warning

The 2003 hurricane season is here, and that means a whole new list of names such as Larry, Sam and Wanda ready to make tropical-storm history.

Although Spanish and French names are included in this year’s lineup, among them Juan and Claudette, which struck Texas last week, popular African American names, like Keisha, Jamal and Deshawn, are nowhere to be found. Some black lawmakers don’t seem to mind, but Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) does. “All racial groups should be represented,” said Lee.

The World Meteorological Organization began naming tropical storms after women in 1953. That made sense to scientists at the time who thought women and storms were both unpredictable. After feminist groups protested, men’s names were added in 1979.

The National Weather Service says hurricane names are derived from languages spoken in areas that border the Atlantic Ocean, where such storms occur. Yet that doesn’t explain why Gaston, Ernesto and Cindy were chosen and Antwon, Destiny and Latonya were passed over. Lee said she hoped in the future the weather establishment “would try to be inclusive of African American names.”

That could take a while. The current roster of hurricane names isn’t due to be updated until 2007.

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

“All racial groups should be represented,” said Lee.

ROTFLMAO

[L.N. Smithee]

The National Weather Service says hurricane names are derived from languages spoken in areas that border the Atlantic Ocean, where such storms occur. Yet that doesn’t explain why Gaston, Ernesto and Cindy were chosen and Antwon, Destiny and Latonya were passed over. Lee said she hoped in the future the weather establishment “would try to be inclusive of African American names.”

It's simple. "African American names" are made up, for the most part, and are not part of any distinguishable language -- unless you want to stir up that Ebonics nonsense again.

"Destiny" is not a name, it's a English word. I don't know of any women named "Destiny." I've heard of Destiny's Child, the R&B singing trio, but none of the women in the group are named "Destiny." I suppose now Jackson-Lee will insist on a Hurricane Beyonce in the future.

On the other hand, "Antwon" is a name, but it's a bastardized version of "Antoine," French for "Anthony." Same goes with "Latonya" -- it seems to be faux French, although the name "Tanja" has Eastern European roots.

Much too often, "African American names" are either deliberately or unintentionally misspelled and/or mispronounced, such as in the cases of pro basketball players Antawn Jamison (pronounced "Antoine") and Dwyane Wade (pronounced "Dwayne").

Earlier this year, there was some stuff about how "black names" were being discriminated against in job applications. Maybe that will make some black parents think twice before choosing a name for their sons or daughters that have "I'm ghetto" written all over it.

Let me interject at this point that I am black myself.

[nyconse]

I want to be on your list. Many thanks.

[andy58-in-nh]

OK, kids: a little ditty for a Tuesday night:

Old Hurricane Jimmy just blew himself out
But did lots of damage from out of the South,
And who can forget the blows on the Hill,
That came from the Tropical Storm named Bill?
But we'll batten the hatches and head underground
When Hurrican Hillary blows into town!

[rockfish59]

Damn!
They've already got 'Hurricane Carter!'
What the hell more does the bitch want?

How about:

Ass Kicker
Boody Whipper
Calamity Jane
Death Blow
Eternity Wind
Freakin' Windy
God***n Gusty
Hell Of A Blow

etc.

[rockfish59]

She sucks too! =^)

[andy58-in-nh]

She sucks too! =^)

Yep. And so did Typhoon Monica.

[Sonny M]

Let me interject at this point that I am black myself.

I don't know what you did, but when I hit your link, it went to the "my profile page" for me.

[AppyPappy]

This is the longest we have gone without hearing that someone's cousin went to school with Lemonjello and Orangello

[Ole Okie]

This should be something like 3-1-2003,

Can we just refer to it as "Three" for convenience?

Somehow, "Hurricane Three dash oh one dash two oh oh three" doesn't exactly sparkle like 24K gold as does plain old "Three". Those who keep the records can keep up with the full designation.

And the next hurricane can be named "Hurry Cane Four", and on and on. Why, come to think of it, we can handle an infinite number of hurricanes thusly.

And that's probably better than using names of diverse ethnicity.

And Shiela Jackson-Lee can go powder her nose.

[SnuffaBolshevik]

Don't forget FeMale.

[From The Deer Stand]

I agree. Name a hurricane after Sheila....

Hurricane Blowhard!

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Hmmm.

I've always been bothered because my name, including the unique spelling my parents gave to me has never been used for anything.

Hurricane AMI, should it ever come to be, should strike fear in everyone...

Hehe..

[azcap]

“All racial groups should be represented,” said Lee.

Hurricane Ossama?

Tropical Storm Ouday?

[Tuxedo]

Well, the hurricanes would sound more scary if you had Hurricane Tyrone and Hurricane Leroy. Might help in evacuations! I'd also add some Italian names like Guido, Louie, Sonny, and Vito. Maybe also throw in some gangstas like Hurricane Tupac and Hurricane MC. Plus we can't ignore Polish names: so where is Hurricane Przemsylaw, Hurricane Maciej, and the like?

[jagrmeister]

President Bush is thwarting the menace of international terrorism. At the same time, Democrats like Shiela Jackson Lee are focused on issues like ensuring that the names of tropical storms include minority names TOO! It's clear which party has a CLEAR direction of where the country needs to go and its priorities, and the other party does NOT.

[Arpege92]

"It went to the "my profile page" for me."

Me too.....?

[Akira]

Very funny article (and very funny retort by owl_eagle above).

If we're representing everybody, can I suggest the French be represented by Hurricane Cheese Eating Surrender Monkey? (ok, that name was stolen)

And if you're going to include all races, you must certainly carry it forward to include all demographics. Please the gay musicians with Hurricane Liberace, the hapless revolutionaries with Hurricane Che and the idiot Hollywood leftists with Hurricane Surandon. I wouldn't be scare of Hurricane Clinton, it would shoot its wad long before it hit the coast. Did I just say that? Well, I'll stick with it.

[solitas]

Complete insanity. Hurricanes should be identified numerically and by category. For example Hurricane 3-1. The 1st Cat3 hurricane of the season. Hearing "well, Elaine is COMING TO FLORIDA!" isn't scary. Numbers aren't either, but at least it removes the PC crap.

Hurricanes used to be identified by year/number - until soneone as asinine as Ms. Jackass-Low came up with names because they'd (supposedly) be easier to remember.

Just GO back to numbering them just to piss her off by never allowing ethnic names to be used even once.

BTW: Good Idea to have the peak force incorporated with the name after it's over!

[Spyder]

It went to the "my profile page" for me."

Me too.....?

It threw me at first as well but then I looked at the properties of the link, it makes sense that it goes to whoever you're signed in as. (i.e. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/my/profile)

All you have to do to see anybody's profile is to click on their name.