Rep. Eli Crane used the derogatory phrase in describing his proposed amendment to a military bill. Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty asked that his words be stricken from the record.

    • asteriskeverything@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      The logic behind this change is that it puts the PERSON first. You’re first and foremost a person, and then after that you’re using a descriptor. Usually this terminology is used to be collective of anyone not white, because it’s used in context of the unique experiences that anyone not white has to navigate all their life, at least in US. Examples such as people of color are more likely to be pulled over by police, people of color have a harder time finding makeup that suits their skin tone, etc.

      If you’re just talking about an individual or a group without that context it’s much more common to hear them just referred to as black, or whatever ethnicity they are, if its even relevant.

      I know it can all feel arbitrary when words are suddenly not okay anymore, but I think it is because these acceptable terms for marginalized people eventually get used so often in a hateful context, they may try to adopt a new term. I mean many women now cringe hard and go on alert for red flags whenever they see women referred to as female, maybe can’t even stand it anymore despite the context, because it has been so consistently used by a very specific type of person.

    • surewhynotlem@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      The good news is that you don’t need to understand. You just need to accept that this is the case because the people it hurts say so.

      You can also go learn about the history and understand if you want, but I’m also all for being lazy and just trusting the people who are impacted.

      • SlowNoPoPo@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        this logic is so flawed honestly

        people can choose to “be hurt” by literally any word and it’s entirely subjective and ephemeral because what upsets them today may not tomorrow and what is ok changes just as easily

        word policing is just a losing battle no matter how you try and justify it and the massive sensitivity towards words just makes people look ridiculous

        • sharpiemarker@feddit.de
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          1 year ago

          Hey look, it’s someone who doesn’t have a horse in the race and who can’t recognize their privilege.