I’m sorry, but THIS (go to page 8) is just beyond the pale, over the top, peter principle in action…
Watch your mouth — everyday phrases like “hold down the fort” and “rule of thumb” are potentially offensive bombshells. At least according to the State Department.
Chief Diversity Officer John Robinson penned a column in the department’s latest edition of “State Magazine ” advising readers on some rather obscure Ps and Qs.
Robinson ticked off several common phrases and went on to explain why their roots are racially or culturally insensitive. The result was a list of no-nos that could easily result in some tongue-tied U.S. diplomats, particularly in an administration that swaps “war on terror” for “overseas contingency operation” and once shied away from using the word “terrorism.”
For instance, Robinson warned, “hold down the fort” is a potentially insulting reference to American Indian stereotypes.
…
He singled out another phrase, “Going Dutch,” as a “negative stereotype portraying the Dutch as cheap.”
…
And “rule of thumb,” he wrote, can according to women’s activists refer “to an antiquated law, whereby the width of a husband’s thumb was the legal size of a switch or rod allowed to beat his wife.”
You ‘really’ have to wonder if this is all these people have to do every day is sit around and think up crap like this… I realize it IS Foggy Bottom, the bastion of oh so social and politically connected Staties, who hate the military (and do everything they can to prevent military action), but come on… GET A LIFE!
Oh yeah, class is over (YEA!), and the presentations this morning were NO questions allowed! She was sitting over in her corner, glaring daggers at all of us, and kept trying to ‘ask’ (read pontificate) but none of the speakers ever acknowledged her!!! When I was heading for the door, she was bending the instructor’s ear about how ‘badly’ she had been treated and how she was going to ‘report’ him for his attitude. Ironically, the quietest guy in the course (late 40s early 50s Indian) stepped up and told the instructor (in that perfect schoolhouse English English) that he would be MORE than happy to provide the ‘truth’ of the class conduct and the treatment she received. As I cleared the door, I heard her winding up, and I just broke and ran for the elevator!!!
Chicken!
Not being another “minority” like the Indian, you’d have to keep your trap shut, but you could have hung around for the show – Fem-entitlement tantrums are vastly amusing!
I am sorely disapointed that you did not stay for the show….your audience wants to know….but on the other hand (is that, too, a PC problem phrase?) I understand the urge to get out of Dodge!
Cheers!
All the PC crap . . . . heavy sigh. It was all so much easier when we were just trying to be American . . . .
I glance far down the tunnel and I swear, there are days I see only darkness . . . .
I don’t blame you – I’d have lumbered that direction, too. 🙂
Suz- Been seeing THAT for 3 1/2 days… sigh
Differ- I’d had ENOUGH!!! 🙂
eia- Concur, dammit…
Rev- Discretion… Just sayin!
You use that speech simply because you want to keep the: Indians (both red dot and feather), Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese, Thai (or just use ‘Oriental), African Negroes, Mulattos, Octoons, (Obama’s brother calls them ‘half white guys), etc. down.
Phrases like “Man your Battle Stations” should be removed from the Navy lexicon as well because it suggests that only men can fight – how sexist. Something like, “People your battle stations” sounds as if the glass ceiling simply vanished, the tide was stopped, rainbows appeared overhead, unicorns danced on the waves and the world was healed.
In England, when they ask you, “Can I bum a fag?” they are not being politically correct by American standards, but by British standards everything is fine. This sort of speech simply complicates the politically correct effort.
Even though I am rarely politically correct, when people (who I don’t know) move to correct me, I tell them, “I’m from Nova Scotia – it’s ok if we say that there”. Even though I’m not from Nova Scotia, most people don’t know what IS politically correct there and they nod their heads knowingly.
It’s all bull shit (can I type that here?)…
“Rule of thumb? Shoulda been a rule of wrist!”
Somehow I am incapable of learning and constantly make PC boo boos. When I’m called on it, I ask, “What did I say that was wrong”? Every explanation brings another polite question seeking clarification. Drives them batty.
Probably should just tell them I’m from Nova Scotia.
LL- Concur!!!
Robert- 🙂
WSF- Why am I NOT surprised you would do that…LOL
So many demanding their right to be offended. Sigh
Oth, I know that God lives, and He knows who is doing what to whom, and nobody is getting away with anything. 🙂
I like balance in my life. 😉
Joe Harwell
“Octoons, (Obama’s brother calls them ‘half white guys)”
I thought the term was Halfrican.
And if we have to go PC can we get rid of th eterm Saturday night special?
I had a required course in sexual harrassment in some previous job and the instructor was some young fluffy female contractor that did the prerequisite powerpoints and then launched into this tirade where she was sexually harrassed in one of our own groups.
Apparently some guy in his sixties came up and gave her a hug in front of the entire class and said “nice job” on her first day. She was almost hysterical “he HUGGED me”.
Being the only female in the group she asked me “have you ever experienced that”.
I had to say “No, but when I was Second in Command I once had a guy unzip his pants at FL410 and pull out Mr. Winky to ask me what I thought of it”.
(the class is trying not to lose it).
She said “what did you DO?”
I said I told him “it must be REALLY cold in here, let me adjust the packs, Sir”
End of problem. He never did it again, and I didn’t have to heat up the metal ends of his shoulder harness with a bic lighter when he went to use the lav.”
By the way, she wasn’t asked back to teach the course again.
I guess “Bite Me” is also non-PC.
Many things are not PC anymore. A state rep in GA had a shit-fit over manhole cover. Now they are called maintenance covers. Firemen are Firefighers. There are so many more – an always brought up by a woman. Love to live in GA.
Brigid: Love it! And much more effective than being “offended”
LL: Love the Nova Scotia idea
WSF: I have visions of a wide eyed innocent look earnestly asking questions –too funny!
NFO, I AM disappointed you didn’t stay for the end — I really did want to know how this ended, but I do understand your need to leave!!!
Speaking as a female who ALWAYS wants to be given an opportunity to excel (and WANTS to be told if I am not the best person for the job — and what I need to learn to improve), even I think PC has gone crazy….firefighters-ok, maintenance covers – really??? The majority of people have no idea where some of those old phrases come from, but everyone knows what they mean. People looking to be offended will be.
While I have celebrated MANY anniversaries of my 18th birthday, I know I can hear someone say the word “girl” and know if they are using it as a gender identifier (no big deal) or as a putdown. Tone of voice and actions really tell you if you should be offended — and sometimes the easiest thing to do is just ignore the ones who are just idiots.
“Attitude” plus “agenda”?? Yeah, I’d break for the door too.
I suppose “scotch-weld” is out the door too?
Let’s not forget the ubiquitous negative description ‘scumbag’, which originally referred to a used prophylactic device!
One hears that everywhere!
gfa
State Dept CDO is now on the list of people who obviously aren’t doing any work and will be let go when the Fed Gov downsizing comes.
Joat- Good question!
Brigid- Where were you last week when I ‘needed’ you??? LOL
Tim- Probably… for the teeth impaired, don’t ya know…
CP- It’s EVERYWHERE, not just GA!
Joey- Good points! And I just didn’t have (or want) a dog in that hunt…
Rick- Probably…
GFA- You can bet on that too!
Andy- we could only HOPE!