Sometimes, people who are trying to use appropriate terminology are worried about accusations of being 'politically correct' (or PC). This is usually done to undermine the accused's confidence, even if done in a light-hearted way.
Many of its origins lie in media scare stories in the 1980s about apparently not being 'allowed' to say such things as 'white or black coffee' but having to say 'coffee with or without milk'. To use such word association was allegedly offensive to black people.
These attacks were intended to demean people who were trying to address various aspects of racism. Their efforts were belittled by the media as being ridiculous and PC nonsense. Indeed, the stories themselves were nonsense, because they were not founded on fact. No organisation had officially banned such word association, although some individuals may have been trying to raise issues about terminology in training courses.
Nevertheless, the idea still holds sway among some people today who wish to belittle attempts to use respectful, accurate and appropriate terminology.
It still pops up in conversations or in the media, just when one had hoped it had gone forever.
It is always important to try to use terms that value and respect people.
Everyone should be explicit about wanting to do this. The PC accusations usually come from people who do not share this concern, who are just saying it to appear superior or to 'score points' over someone, or who have not given the issue much thought. They should be ignored for the distraction from reality that they are.
Duncan Campbell defined political correctness as 'that masterful invention by conservative commentators of a problem which doesn't in fact exist' (The Guardian, 25 November 2000). Gary Younge described it as 'one of those media constructs that gained currency but never acquired real meaning' (The Guardian, 23 January 2006).
Despite the nonsense, there continue to be instances where some words or word associations are allegedly 'banned' and alternatives are suggested.
For example, the Daily Mail claimed on 7 March that an Oxford Sure Start centre had changed the nursery rhyme 'Baa baa black sheep' to 'Baa baa rainbow sheep'.
Discussions persist as to whether to say this rhyme with young children, because it supposedly demeans black people. What is being misunderstood here is that the words of the nursery rhyme are being mixed up with the term 'black sheep' (of the family). It is only when a black sheep is seen negatively in this way that the rhyme is questioned. But the rhyme itself is in no way negative about black people, because having black wool is not depicted as negative. And, because there are fewer black sheep than white sheep, they may be seen as having a special attraction in their rarity.
In fact, the origins of the rhyme may be in the rarity of black wool and its consequent special value. While the term 'black sheep' may need to be challenged, it has nothing to do with the rhyme. Instead, when singing the rhyme, children could be told about the value of black wool in olden days, and why. It is so often easier to talk about things with early years workers and children and learn about their origins, rather than go into the minefield of banning things that have been common currency for generations.
This only upsets 'traditionalists' and feeds into antagonism against people who are promoting racial equality overall. Support may be lost if people feel their own 'culture' is being taken away.
It is important to try to respect all cultures and keep a balance between them. Of course, there may be some situations, though rare, where it is appropriate not to use a particular rhyme where it, justifiably or not, offends some people. It is not the end of the world if a little compromise sometimes takes place in the interests of everyone. And this may eventually be of benefit to all. NW
* Extract from Action for racial equality in the early years: understanding the past, thinking about the present, planning for the future (2006) by Jane Lane (forthcoming revised edition to be published by the National Children's Bureau)
* Jane Lane is an advocate worker for racial equality in the early years
