Your Mommy, AKA Your University, Wants To Wash Your Mouth Out With Soap
Never mind that skyrocketing tuition. Gotta spend money -- $16K -- on posters warning students not to say things that might give other students an ouchie in their feelings.
No, this is not some backwater community college doing this. It's my alma mater, the University of Michigan.
Samantha Audia writes at The College Fix about the pathetic "Inclusive Language Campaign":
Dozens of posters plastered across the University of Michigan caution students not to say things that might hurt others' feelings, part of a new "Inclusive Language Campaign" at the state's flagship public university that cost $16,000 to implement.Words declared unacceptable through the campaign include "crazy," "insane," "retarded," "gay," "tranny," "gypped," "illegal alien," "fag," "ghetto" and "raghead." Phrases such as "I want to die" and "that test raped me" are also verboten.
University spokesman Rick Fitzgerald told The College Fix in an email the campaign aims to "address campus climate by helping individuals understand that their words can impact someone and to encourage individuals to commit to creating a positive campus community."ILCinside
Students have been asked to sign a pledge to "use inclusive language" and to help their peers "understand the importance of using inclusive language," according to campaign materials.
Though only in existence for one semester, the Inclusive Language Campaign has maintained a strong presence throughout the university. Students roaming the campus frequently encounter posters of all sizes reminding them: "YOUR WORDS MATTER," and asking questions such as: "If you knew that I grew up in poverty, would you still call things 'ghetto' and 'ratchet'?"
Especially disturbing is this pledge students are pushed to sign.
Especially, especially disturbing is the request that students self-censor.
It isn't the university's job -- or rather, shouldn't be -- to pre-screen (and pre-chill) speech.
If you are hurt by a person saying a word, tell them. Maybe they'll pull back; maybe they won't. But there will maybe be a discussion about it, and that's good. This is how we advance thought -- or rather, how we used to before students became baby kittens.
I went to University of Michigan back in the 80s, back when students protested all over the place on campus -- and they weren't protesting against FREE SPEECH!
Do they know how they're being mocked on campus? At least by the smart ones. Of course, this rhetoric is just for the people who probably shouldn't be there. They need their noses wiped and their shoes tied, and a pat on the head from the administration.
Canvasback at February 10, 2015 8:39 PM
"Inclusive Language Campaign"
Orwellian bullshit. The intent is not to include. It is to exclude.
Cousin Dave at February 10, 2015 11:00 PM
In the words of Ann Landers; thirty lashes with a wet noodle for you Amy! You called them "pathetic." That's hurtful speech.
charles at February 11, 2015 1:46 AM
> They need their noses wiped and their
> shoes tied, and a pat on the head
> from the administration.
That's like gay marriage. Everyone's feelings are special....
Crid [CridComment at Gmail] at February 11, 2015 3:22 AM
You have the right to be rude, and I have the right to shun you. It even works off campus.
MarkD at February 11, 2015 4:30 AM
See 3:25 for a couple of minutes here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeJrcVhtzYo#t=396
Amy Alkon at February 11, 2015 5:13 AM
Come now, Amy. We've always been at war with Eastasia.
I R A Darth Aggie at February 11, 2015 5:32 AM
We've gone from "in loco parentis" to loco.
Wait, did I just offend Hispanic crazy people?
Should I not have used the word "crazy?"
Conan the Grammarian at February 11, 2015 7:58 AM
Pure Michigan?
The Michigan Difference?
spqr2008 at February 11, 2015 8:38 AM
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