Politically correct DJJD

The first celebration of “Jesse James Days” took place in 1948. At some point, perhaps known to those who have called Northfield home for many years, the words “defeat of” were added so visitors wouldn’t get the impression that the celebration was glorifying a bank robber and encouraging young people to undertake a life of crime.

This is an example of politically correct language, the use of words which neutralize or minimize language which might otherwise give offense to certain racial, cultural, or identity groups. Trying to be politically correct is not without its problems.

For example, I read that some deaf or hearing-impaired people consider hearing-impaired as derogatory and deaf as an affirming statement of group membership. For others it might be the reverse.

Among Spanish-speaking some think the word Hispanic elicits a negative connection to Spanish conquest of their ancestors. They prefer the word Latino. Those I have asked here in Northfield seem to prefer the more common Hispanic.

In 1996 Robert Martin Walker wrote an amusing little book entitled Politically Correct Parables, a biblical counterpart to James Finn Garner’s Politically Correct Bedtime Stories published a couple years previous. The Prodigal Son was renamed the Negative-Attention-Getting Son, the Unjust Steward became the Ethically-Impaired Stewperson, and the Rich Man And Lazarus are referred to as the Financially Exploitative Person and The Economically Disadvantaged Person.

Reworking the language in documents, literature and lyrics of songs which have been in circulation for some time can be problematic. In a number of songs in the missalettes found in our chapel, masculine terms referring to God and people have been replaced. Some of the changes flow pretty well, others not so. I confess I feel a little irritated when lyrics I have stored in my memory banks are no longer correct, just as when translations of bible passages I have memorized are changed. If the women who attend daily Mass feel more respected and included, however, such changes are worthwhile.

It is important that we be sensitive to the effect our language has on other people…important that we use language that is respectful and up-building. Such sensitivity can result in the defeat of stereotypes and offensive language along with the defeat of Jesse James.

Comments

[Christine Stanton]

I am glad to see you blog is active again! :)