TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re[2]: Hypothetical Un-PC Questions.... From:"Arlen P. Walker" <Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 8 Jun 1995 09:09:00 -0600
John Renish makes a good point. The "acceptable" term for any ethnic group can
be extremely hard to pin down. We've covered another such group here just
recently (Handicapped, Disabled, Differently Abled, Physically Challenged). I
have a theory why it changes, but that doesn't avoid having to deal with it.
There's no real easy answer here. The best thing you can do is go to the
audience, go to the people who will be reading the labels and working with the
terms and ask them. And be prepared to change them all the next time the fashion
changes.
Have fun,
Arlen
Chief Managing Director In Charge, Department of Redundancy Department
DNRC 124
Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- Com
----------------------------------------------
In God we trust; all others must provide data.
----------------------------------------------
