LL-L "Identity" 2003.01.01 (01) [E]

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From: Global Moose Translations <globalmoose at t-online.de>
Subject: LL-L "Identity" 2002.12.31 (05) [E]

Ross May wrote:

>If my replies are colored by my conservatism, sobeit.  But, I do not
>subscribe to the school of political correctness.  If I use a term, such
>as, "uncivilized world", instead of the politically correct
term,"developing
>world," please do not correct me.

For once, I agree. Of course there is an "uncivilized world". There is,
however, no such thing as an uncivilized country or nation. Still, there are
lots of uncivilized people, and they are found everywhere, in every town and
country, not to mention quite a few governments. Their main distinguishing
feature is their intolerance towards other cultures, races, genders, skin
colours, languages, lifestyles and beliefs.

Allow me to quote M. Gandhi who, when asked what he thought of Western
civilization, replied: "I believe it would be a good idea!".

By the way, just like Ron, I realized that, at our little New Year's Eve
party last night, we were ten people from five different nations - and,
although four of them were my closest family, I was the only German there!
Well, if you count in our Turkish neighbor whose balcony one of the boys
accidentally set on fire with a rocket and had to climb up and douse it with
a pot of soup that happened to be standing there (none of my kids, thank
Heaven), there were even six nations involved! :-)

May the world become more civilized in 2003!!

Best wishes to you all (including "Paul" Prohaska),
Gabriele Kahn

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From: R. F. Hahn <admin at lowlands-l.net>
Subject: Identity

Harlan Ross May:

> If I use a term, such
> as, "uncivilized world", instead of the politically correct
term,"developing
> world," please do not correct me.

I personally reject the commonly used term "developing world" too, because
it is senseless, as the entire world is in a constant state of development.
The term thus is merely a taboo replacement of the equally chauvinist term
"uncivilized world."

However, irrespective of my personal opinion, it is common knowledge that,
while the terms "developing world" and "developing countries" are widely
considered tolerable, the use of "uncivilized world" and "uncivilized
countries," although *honestly* chauvinist, is perceived as *aggressively*
and *provocatively* chauvinist in this day and age, especially in
international circles.  No convenient ridicule and rejection of "political
correctness" can change that as a disclaimer.  Irrespective of the user's
real or purported intent, there is no place for such insulting language in
an international forum, if in *any* forum other than perhaps those
restricted to persons who share and flaunt this sort of chauvinist
persuasion.  This type of language is offensive to most subscribers of this
list, irrespective of their background, not to mention the many subscribers
whose countries of origin and/or residence would, in terms of this school of
hierarchical worldview, fall into the category thusly termed.  My apologies
to them, and my admiration and thanks for their tolerance and restraint in
this matter.

The use of such deliberately offensive terminology or its equivalents thus
violates one of the basic rules of this list:

o  All exchanges must be in a courteous and friendly tone.

As such it will not be tolerated on Lowlands-L.

Furthermore, this particular discussion (though not "Identity" as a thread)
is now closed, which means that any further responses to it will be rejected
(as in "erased") without notice or explanation, and this includes reponses
sent to me privately.  Anyone who has a problem with this is advised to
follow the instructions in the second field of the masthead above or the
last instruction in the footer below.

Peace and goodwill for 2003!

Reinhard "Ron" F. Hahn
Administrator, Lowlands-L
http://www.lowlands-l.net

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