"Native American"
See, unlike, "African American," that one actually makes sense. When Columbus, "discovered," America the original thought was that he'd ended up in India. That's why they were called Indians as far as i know. Seeing as how they're not from India, rather, Natives of the north American continent, it makes a lot more sense.
It doesn't even have anything to do with political correctness to me. I wont call a north American Native a native of the Indian subcontinent because that's not what they are.
Traceable amounts of Cherokee, Choctaw and Blackfoot here... Along with about 8 other bloodlines.
Alsek, I totally agree. I have many friends from India AND many friends who are Native Americans. Having more CORRECT terms saves a lot of confusion. I think that was part of the goal of PC language. This topic is soooo 20 years ago though. I do think that any group of people has the right to "own" the derogatory comments against them. And that is something that predates PC language. I am reminded of something that comedian Lenny Bruce would use in his acts back in the 1960s, initially shocking audience members, but making the statement that if you own a hurtful word, it can stop hurting. Hence the reason for rappers using the "N" word. Does that make it okay for someone to use it in a hurtful context? No. Is it protected speech? To a degree. Hate speech is a murky area. One must discern if a real threat is made to someone, and sometimes it is. Of course no such language should be permitted in the work place. Everyone deserves to be able to do their job without being made uncomfortable.
As for equal opportunity employment and affirmative action, they are two different things, but they are also the same. How are they the same? They are myths. Nice sentiments that actually seldom get practiced. Try to prove someone didn't get hired, or didn't get admitted to college based on either of these. Good luck with that. But I know how vilified such things are, because the people without need for either like to shield themselves with this. "I didn't get into this college because they had to meet quotas," or "I didn't get the job because they only wanted to hire women to meet the quota," without examining their own short comings. A homeless man my grandpa helped out was complaining that he lost his job as a bartender because bars in the area only wanted to hire cute girls. He couldn't face the real reason that they wouldn't hire him, that he was an alcoholic. Oh well, that is human nature.
Am I fan of Political Correctness? Not really. Do I find it silly? No. I just think that if there is a more accurate way to say something, we should. It avoids a lot of confusion.
