Chapter 3 Inoffensive Writing
159
racial/racist
Let's look at the difference between "racial" and "racist" because, as
an anchor in Lexington points out, there's some confusion.
"It's my understanding that `racist' remarks are always bad, the
utterings of a bigot. But statistics can be broken down along
`racial' lines, and that's not necessarily a negative thing. Thus,
when we hear anchors speak of `racial slurs,' shouldn't they
instead be saying `racist slurs'?"
Marvin Bartlett
WDKY-TV
You would think so, but the term RACIAL SLURS is correct.
So are the terms RACIST COMMENTS and RACIST REMARKS.
SLURS may be racial, ethnic, religious, as well as sexual.
RACIAL means relating to a particular race of people.
RACIAL PROFILING is the tendency of some police officers to
attribute criminal intentions to members of ethnic groups and to stop
and question them in disproportionate numbers without probable
cause.
RACISM is prejudice against people who belong to other races.
It's the belief that some races are inherently superior or inferior.
RACIST means prejudiced against other races.
Mrs. B reminds you NOT to use racial, ethnic, religious, sexual
orientation (straight, gay, or bisexual), or sex designations UNLESS
they are clearly essential to the story.
