Monday, July 22, 2019




'America' and 'American' Listed Among Words to Avoid at Colorado State University

Colorado State University has included the words “American” and “America” on its list of language to avoid because they are not inclusive.

The school’s Inclusive Communications Task Force compiled a list of words in its Inclusive Language Guide that serve to help those on campus foster “inclusion, respect, and social justice.”

The guide states that it is not about being politically correct but instead is there to help “communicators practice inclusive language” and make everyone on campus “feel welcomed, respected, and valued.”

CSU lists both “American” and “America” as non-inclusive words "to avoid," due to the fact that America encompasses more than just the U.S. By referring to the U.S. as America, the guide claims that one “erases other cultures and depicts the United States as the dominant American country.” The school suggests using “U.S. citizen” or “person from the U.S.” as substitutes.

Among other words on the list are normal person, straight, gendered words, hip hip hooray, hold down the fort, war, starving, etc.

The guide does note, however, that the recommendations are not official policy.

SOURCE 

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

More nonsense in general, but I agree that the use of American for US citizens is not right.

Bill R. said...

It is what it is. We are Americans and no matter where in the world we are, they know where we come from. Get over it. It is not going to change.

Stan B said...

Oh my - the United States might be perceived as the "dominant culture" of the American Continents?

Hey idiots, it IS the dominant culture of the American Continents! There is nothing to be gained through "false modesty" or "self-debasement" here.