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Subject:Re: Words to avoid, was: Apology for "Jap" comment
From:Ron Lussier
Date:Tue, 21 Dec 1999 13:37:55 -0800

> > The word "Indian", to the native american, is offensive
> (but I believe only
> > to certain groups). Two high schools in the state of Idaho
> are changing
> > their school names because of law suits. The schools took
> pride in their
> > names as they marched on to the playing field to win a game
> (high school
> > made up of a variety of students including many native
> americans) The native
> > americans took no offense to this, but rather had pride in
> their school.
> > After 60 plus years and no money to fight it like the Ted
> Turners (Atlanta
> > Braves) two schools will be changing their names. No matter
> who or what the
> > name change will be, I'm sure it will be offensive to some.
>
> it is odd that some profess taking offense at the word
> "indian".  There
> are a good many organizations that still use it in their title.

Not only that, but all the indians I know call themselves Indians.  (Such as
Randy's group 'Gay American Indians').  Though I *do* prefer the Canadian
term 'first peoples'.

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