Stanford University published a list of “harmful language” and the word “American” is among them.
Twitter users took to the platform to share screenshots of the university’s “Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative.”
Stanford has introduced their "Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative"
— Yano 🟪 (@JasonYanowitz) December 19, 2022
I would say this is insanely lame but both of those words are now banned. pic.twitter.com/jaNgLam9Si
According to the guide, people should replace “American” with “US Citizen” because the term “often refers only to people from the United States only, thereby insinuating that the U.S. is the most important country in the Americas.”
You guys, this list of words that Stanford doesn't want us to use anymore is truly insane. https://t.co/mUMGgSSUAr pic.twitter.com/A7DtfpjIUv
— Justine Moore (@venturetwins) December 18, 2022
Other words included in the guide are: “Stand up meeting, insane, user, trigger warning, you guys, and walk-in.”
Fox News noted there are 10 “harmful language” sections included in the index, including: “Ableist, ageism, colonialism, culturally appropriative, gender-based, imprecise language, institutionalized racism, person-first, violent and additional considerations.”
Users shared their reactions to the index, with one tweeting, “You can not use ‘user’ but ‘consider using’ is ok? This is wild.”
You can not use "user" but "consider using" is ok?
— Elisabeth Bik (@MicrobiomDigest) December 20, 2022
This is wild. https://t.co/emyciRk7tj
Former Republican Joe Walsh wrote, “Dear Democrats, Stanford U doesn’t want people using the words ‘American,’ ‘brave,’ and ‘user,’ among many others. So as not to offend.”
He added, “This is the kind of bullshit that gives ‘woke’ a bad name and turns off the vast majority of Americans. Best, A Former Republican Trying To Help.”
Dear Democrats,
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) December 20, 2022
Stanford U doesn’t want people using the words “American,” “brave,” & “user,” among many others. So as not to offend. This is the kind of bullshit that gives “woke” a bad name & turns off the vast majority of Americans.
Best,
A Former Republican Trying To Help https://t.co/kAXvqCUfGc
Another user wrote, “I bet the clowns that come up with these lists are real fun guys. Oops can’t say guys.”
I bet the clowns that come up with these lists are real fun guys. Oops can’t say guys. https://t.co/GcFt0gw8m6
— Jason (@Listeningtomarv) December 20, 2022
Check out more reactions below:
What a bunch of maniacs. Imagine paying for your kid to spend 4 years in an asylum. https://t.co/IOkrgPe587
— Jedediah Bila (@JedediahBila) December 20, 2022
Calling Americans "United States citizens" to avoid confusion with the inhabitants of other countries in North America is in and of itself confusing as the official name of Mexico also include the phrase "United States." https://t.co/A2Q6q6Vyzu
— David Shafer (@DavidShafer) December 20, 2022
Good job Stanford. https://t.co/YkauFDzFpb pic.twitter.com/2wHY8Rx1dI
— Matt Beebe (@TheMattBeebe) December 20, 2022
TRIGGER WARNING for American users: You guys, I hate to beat a dead horse, but don't read this standing up. No one is that brave. It's insane! https://t.co/zlS8KalbEk
— Carla Gericke, Live Free And Thrive! (@CarlaGericke) December 20, 2022
It's a wonder comedians are in business… https://t.co/kQ05a4ym4j
— Jaideep Prabhu | ג'יידיפ פראבהו (@orsoraggiante) December 20, 2022
Welcome to the world of Socialism https://t.co/LclgmP18MN
— Shawn Mauldin (@ShawnMauldin4) December 20, 2022
Pathetic 😂 https://t.co/3ruz8oVXPA
— Mike Gojçaj (@mike_gojcaj) December 20, 2022
Similarly, Cambridge Dictionary received criticism last week after it changed the definition of the word “woman,” as IJR reported.
The dictionary defined the term as “an adult who lives and identifies as female though they may have been said to have a different sex at birth.”