Are we really arguing about a name?
In the face of the terrible devastation brought on by Katrina is it possible that people have nothing better to do than squabble over what to call all those people who got stranded as a result?!
""It is racist to call American citizens refugees," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said, visiting the Houston Astrodome on Monday. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have expressed similar sentiments."
Seriously now! So, is it racist just because they are American citizens? That is a preposterous and shameful! Maybe we should just say that slavery was OK because they weren't American citizens! Ah, THE NERVE!!
"Others have countered that the terms "evacuees" or even "displaced" are too clinical and not sufficiently dramatic to convey the dire situation that confronts many of Katrina's survivors."
Now we're going to talk about euphemisms?! Where is Carlin when you need him?
"President Bush, who has spent days trying to deflect criticism that he responded sluggishly to the disaster, weighed in on Tuesday. "The people we're talking about are not refugees," he said. "They are Americans and they need the help and love and compassion of our fellow citizens.""
And refugees don't?!
The article goes on to talk about the actual definition of the word refugee according to which the name would be inappropriate. I just wish someone (for once) used the actual fucking dictionary and not just spew shit out their mouth.
""It is racist to call American citizens refugees," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said, visiting the Houston Astrodome on Monday. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have expressed similar sentiments."
Seriously now! So, is it racist just because they are American citizens? That is a preposterous and shameful! Maybe we should just say that slavery was OK because they weren't American citizens! Ah, THE NERVE!!
"Others have countered that the terms "evacuees" or even "displaced" are too clinical and not sufficiently dramatic to convey the dire situation that confronts many of Katrina's survivors."
Now we're going to talk about euphemisms?! Where is Carlin when you need him?
"President Bush, who has spent days trying to deflect criticism that he responded sluggishly to the disaster, weighed in on Tuesday. "The people we're talking about are not refugees," he said. "They are Americans and they need the help and love and compassion of our fellow citizens.""
And refugees don't?!
The article goes on to talk about the actual definition of the word refugee according to which the name would be inappropriate. I just wish someone (for once) used the actual fucking dictionary and not just spew shit out their mouth.
posted by z @ 5:46 PM
9 Comments:
At 6:02 PM,
Phillybits said…
Holy shit! Sorry, blog owner, I was just hitting the "Next blog" button, seeing what other sites there were besides mine when I noticed the comment here above mine.
This anonymous guy has been commenting on my blog left and right. If this has been happening to you as well, try turning on Word Verification for your blog. Might help dispell some unwanted comments.
Good luck and yeah, the Hurricane situation is insane.
At 10:16 PM,
z said…
yeah, some dumbass figured out that there are lots of bloggers out there and he might be able to make a few bucks by spamming them. it's only getting worse as other dumbasses catch on.
thanks for the advice... i'll check it out.
At 8:32 AM,
Rama said…
I always viewed the term "refugee" as someone who had to leave their home country... so the Katrina survivors can't be refugees, because they are still in America... though saying that the term is racist... gees. Jackson will do anything to keep the racial divide going strong.
At 10:24 AM,
liz said…
refugee:noun. Etymology: French réfugié, past participle of (se) réfugier to take refuge, from Latin refugium. (1) one that flees. - Merriam Webster.com
I'd say they qualify.
Also, Haloscan doesn't seem to have comment spam yet.
At 11:32 AM,
nell said…
don't jinx haloscan, woman!!
Also, I believe the term refugee is as appropriate to this situation as other terms, is not more so simply due to the nature of the evacuation from the city (they're talking about forced evacuation now).
"Displaced" sounds like when someone's home has been condemned to make way for a new interstate or something. Not quite the same.
"Evacuees" sounds like a bad disease, although technically it means "A person evacuated from a dangerous area," so technically that is also appropriate, and perhaps the best choice. But does it matter? No matter what we call it, the reality is the same for everyone effected...
At 1:36 PM,
Rama said…
Why not keep it simple, and call them "survivors"... because they are that too...
At 6:30 PM,
nell said…
That's true, but I think since the ordeal is not yet over, it may be premature to use that one.
Ugh, and here I started out the day thinking I wouldn't be participating in this "Are we really arguing about a name?" game.
At 6:50 PM,
z said…
*lol* i know... i almost posted a response earlier today, but then had to resist in order not to perpetuate the discussion! :)
oh well... in theory it is an interesting question. i was only annoyed that our gov't, newsmedia and leaders of organizations would spend time discussing it rather than focusing on their jobs which could help out the victims they're trying to name. it seems a bit to me like a bunch of firemen standing in front a burning house arguing over how quickly it would burn down rather than doing their best to put out the flames.
At 1:36 PM,
*dots* said…
i don't want to perpetuate the discussion... but z makes a good point. what the hell does it matter what we call them? just get off your ass and help!
Post a Comment
<< Home