Reply #8: both sides are overreaching for their arguments [View All]

[alc]

as usual when certain words cause trouble. A few weeks ago the headline was

"The word 'Negro' on 2010 census form offends some blacks"

I didn't read many (any) comments that the word is not offensive, even though I saw the article many times on many boards. I did see many people argue that people had the right to be offended and the form should be changed.

It's a WORD. At least to me WORDs are not offensive or unoffensive. The SENTENCE, CONTEXT, and USAGE are what may be offensive. Anyone trying to argue that using any word is automatically bad or okay looses the argument with me.

zulchzulu: Thanks for posting this. That usage hadn't occurred to me now or in the census discussions.