As a member of Callerlab for 25 years, I can answer Woody's question with a definitive "NO".

Callerlab does offer many benefits, but it has its drawbacks as well. Standardization was supposed to be a good thing, and perhaps in the MWSD world that is more good than bad, but it also diminishes the regional differences of dance, and limits the expression and flexibilities of callers. There is also an organization called ContraLab, and thankfully its reach is limited.

Rich Sbardella

Stafford, CT

On Fri, Mar 30, 2018 at 3:23 PM, Tom Hinds via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

Woody, I really don't understand your question. Please connect the dots.

Sent from my iPad

> On Mar 30, 2018, at 2:20 AM, Woody Lane via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Hi Tom,
>
> Earlier this year in Eugene, a caller was struggling with trying to be extra careful with alternative terms for gypsy. She referred to the "g-word" and then tried using other terms. She was actually trying to demonstrate something else on the floor. The crowd said in a friendly way but very clearly -- we don't care, just use the word "gypsy"! And then she did, people relaxed, and the evening progressed smoothly.
>
> The intensity and animus of these conversations may have unintended long-term consequences in the contra dance world. Does anyone really want to establish the contra equivalent of Callerlab?
>
> Woody
>
>> On 3/28/2018 11:58 AM, Tom Hinds via Callers wrote:
>> I've had very good conversations with Rich on and off the discussion group and feel that he shares many of my values. Would you rather that I and others not participate? Perhaps that is the primary reason that some of us aren't comfortable with PC. Where does it end and what freedoms am I going to have to give up? My memory is that this incredible discussion started with a complaint from ONE person.
>> Lastly let me suggest this after reading Jeffrey's very good email: It may be that terms like gypsy (and of course others) are location dependent. Here in Charlottesville and perhaps DC people don't really care for the gypsy issue. In other areas perhaps that's not the case. On the English list people are reminded that folks from many countries are members and that we should keep this in mind.
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