30 Mar
2018
30 Mar
'18
2:20 a.m.
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.