Political Correctness gone wrong: Animal ethicists shun “p” word
In an article from Global Edmonton, a new academic journal states that we should stop using the words “pet” , “wildlife”, “vermin” because they are derogatory. The journal even suggests that “animal” is a “term of abuse.
The academic journal also states that by changing how we address animals (or in their case non-human species) by their noun will change how people act and think.
Who really is being offended by these simple terms? According to the journal animals could be offended but the bigger picture is how we treat animals. They are saying that the way we address a “non-human species” relates to how we will treat our pet (or in their case companion animal). However, a linguistics professor states that in changing words it is not a guarantee that people will change how they treat their pets.
The journal has also decided that similes such as “drunk as a skunk”, “eat like a pig”, “sly as a fox” etc are also derogatory and we should stop using them immediately.
The new journal has created a public outcry that political correctness has been taken too far this time. The new politically correct terms of “spring sphere”,”Happy Holidays” and now “companion animal” have taken this topic way too far. In the end would an animal really notice if it is called a “pet”, “wildlife” OR “companion animal”, “free-living” respectively.
Animal ethicists shun ‘p’ word-the full article
B 😀
Posted on May 11, 2011, in Beyond and tagged animal, dog, dogs, pets, political correctness, vermins, wildlife. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
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Linguistics professors and animal rights activists (however good their intentions may be) are nutbars with too much time on their hands. People that legitimately care about animals and do concrete actions about it such as volunteer at the SPCA, adopt a previously abused or neglected animal, or become part of a conservation group, on the other hand, are part of the solution and not part of the problem