Hi Tom,
Sure. The first paragraph describes the current situation regarding the
use of a controversial single word.
The second paragraph steps back and looks at the bigger picture within
our community. My speculation that the animus and hard feelings that
this word has elicited among callers, organizers, and dancers may result
in pressures to "standardize" terms. The logic then is by whom, then the
move to setup an organization with some sort of
standardization/certification/controlling power, etc. Hence the
historical precedent of Callerlab.
Woody
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On 3/30/2018 12:23 PM, Tom Hinds 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(a)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.