Date: Tue, 28 Oct 1997 13:31:15 -0500 From: CARRIE SUSANN ADDINGTON Subject: Re: PC Dictionaries? On Mon, 27 Oct 1997, Evan Morris wrote: I am personally outraged by the fact that a stereotypical label has been placed in a dictionary as a meaningful word. Does white trash exist in the dictionary?--same thing! I hate racism adn the fact that it exists but to put it in the dictionary as a word.No! It is a damn stereotype. Does anyone agree? Is anyone else upset with this? Carrie > Here's the NAACP press release: > > > BALTIMORE -- NAACP President & CEO Kweisi Mfume criticized the > Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary's definition of a "nigger" as a > "black person" or a "member of a dark-skinned race" and has announced the > NAACP plans to join a national letter-writing campaign to pressure > Merriam-Webster to either drop or change the definition. > "The NAACP finds it objectionable that Merriam-Webster would use black > people as a definition for a racist term," Mfume said. "A 'nigger' is not a > black person or a member of a dark-skinned race as defined by > Merriam-Webster. It is not a definition of a person's race, but a derogatory > word," Mfume added. "There clearly needs to be a correction immediately." > President Mfume warned the publishers of Merriam-Webster that if the > dictionary is not changed more forceful action will be taken. > "We will soon be asking colleges, universities and public school systems to > cease purchasing the dictionary if changes are not forthcoming," Mfume said. > "It is unacceptable that such a word would be used to define African > Americans." > > Evan Morris > words1[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]word-detective.com > Carrie Susann Addington SCHOOL: HOME: 403 E. Main St. 2100 W. Sun Valley Pkwy. Morehead, KY 40351 Muncie, IN 47303 (606)780-0781 (317)747-0809