Thinking Fool

Eh, I think there's a lot to be said for tradition. Or maybe people are just too lazy to make the changes. Isn't it a pain in the butt to rename an incorporated organization? New trademarks and all.

If we're not that stupid (Americans, that is), then aren't we smart enough to realize that the words used are just words, and not slurs? I don't see it being that big of a deal, honestly.

See.... based on some of my interactions with the general public I tend to disagree that people aren't that stupid. I tend to think they are, why else then could you hand a grocery store cashier $20.59 for a $15.59 bill and then proceed to be stared at, handed back the loose change, and then have to explain basic math to her? Or really any of the number of idiocies encountered?

Way back when I was an undergrad I was the vice-president of the student government (in my junior year, I was president senior year) and my and the SGA president had a meeting with the administration to discuss minority retention (the President of the SGA at the time was a black guy and a good friend of mine).

This 60 year old codger was the head of admissions and he began to give presentation. in the presentaiton he reffered to black students as "Negro's." He did this at least 10 to 12 times.

Now we never felt this guy was a racist, he was genuinly intrested in increasing minority student retention and had done far more than any other administrator to make that happen. He had met with us repeatedly trying to get our help in promoting minority retention programs. So the SGA president and myself were quite amused by this and we passed each other looks desperately trying to not to laugh. When it was over I had to ask:

"Dean (old white guy), um , I was just wondering, why do you refer to black students as Negro's?"

He looked a little confused and embarrassed for a second and then he said, in all seriousness:

"Back in my day it was much more insulting to call someone 'Black' than to call someone a 'Negro.'"

He never used the word 'negro' again when referring to blak students, but for some reason we felt really bad about calling him on it.

I half-agree with you.

Like AARP, the NAACP is mostly refered to by its acronym rather than what it stands for. That's brand recognition, and the organization should just call it that without reference to "Colored People." Besides, should they rename it the National Association for the Advancement of African-Americans? NAAAA.

The United Negro College Fund, however, should change its name, because no one calls it the UNCF. (That sounds like the University of North Carolina at Fayetteville.) Maybe the United Minority College Fund or something. Whatever they call it, they should bring back that "A mind is a terrible thing to waste" campaign. Use the old commercials with the new name. Brand goodwill transferred.

THB, But with new trademarks comes more work for attorneys. See, I'm all about self-interest, though if I did trademark work, I'd kill myself. Then again, it'd be more interesting than what I do right now.

Meg, I respectfully disagree.

First Year, Perhaps I should reconsider the whole post!

over_educated, Very interesting story.

Neel, Technically the NAACP doesn't limit itself to promoting the interests of African-Americans, but of all human beings. NAAHB? National Association for the Advancement of Human Beings?

Interesting critique, Fool. I tend to agree with your position. However, rather than changing the names of the organizations to stay current with each generation's conception of what is "politically correct," the organizations should seek to develop some sort of self-determined names with which to go forward.

wiseazz, that sounds BRILLIANT (in a real sense, not like those bastards in the guiness commercials)