Re: Amerind an offensive term (was: Early Amerind assimilation

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Joel and Lynn Gazis-Sax wrote:
>
> Stephen Barnard wrote:
> >
> > Joel and Lynn Gazis-Sax wrote:
> > >
> > > The point that this so-called
> > > anthropologist cannot understand is that the offensiveness of a term
> > > is a matter for the recipient to decide. You are allowed one mistake
> > > in polite circles, but after you are informed it is offensive, you
> > > have no further excuse.
> > >
> >
> > The problem that arises is when the intersection of the sets of
> > permissible terms, gathered over all the interested parties, is the null
> > set.
> >
> > Steve Barnard
>
> Thus some kind of rule is needed, Steve. And the best one I have found
> in all such cases is to ask the simple question:
>
> What do you want me to call you?
>
> Regards,
>
> Joel

You can call me virtually anything you want to: Euro, white, honky,
ofay, WASP, male chauvinist pig, Jew bastard, whatever. I won't be
offended because I'm used to it.

When I write something that possibly thousands of people may read I'm
not prepared to ask each and every one of them what term they prefer.

Steve Barnard

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