Date: Tue, 28 Oct 1997 13:31:15 -0500

From: CARRIE SUSANN ADDINGTON csaddi01[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MOREHEAD-ST.EDU

Subject: Re: PC Dictionaries?



On Mon, 27 Oct 1997, Evan Morris wrote:



I am personally outraged by the fact that a stereotypical label has

been placed in a dictionary as a meaningful word. Does white trash

exist in the dictionary?--same thing! I hate racism adn the fact that it

exists but to put it in the dictionary as a word.No! It is a damn

stereotype. Does anyone agree? Is anyone else upset with this?

Carrie



Here's the NAACP press release:





BALTIMORE -- NAACP President & CEO Kweisi Mfume criticized the

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary's definition of a "nigger" as a

"black person" or a "member of a dark-skinned race" and has announced the

NAACP plans to join a national letter-writing campaign to pressure

Merriam-Webster to either drop or change the definition.

"The NAACP finds it objectionable that Merriam-Webster would use black

people as a definition for a racist term," Mfume said. "A 'nigger' is not a

black person or a member of a dark-skinned race as defined by

Merriam-Webster. It is not a definition of a person's race, but a derogatory

word," Mfume added. "There clearly needs to be a correction immediately."

President Mfume warned the publishers of Merriam-Webster that if the

dictionary is not changed more forceful action will be taken.

"We will soon be asking colleges, universities and public school systems to

cease purchasing the dictionary if changes are not forthcoming," Mfume said.

"It is unacceptable that such a word would be used to define African

Americans."



Evan Morris

words1[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]word-detective.com





Carrie Susann Addington

SCHOOL: HOME:

403 E. Main St. 2100 W. Sun Valley Pkwy.

Morehead, KY 40351 Muncie, IN 47303

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