Fecally plenary
By Eric Wilkins, Staff Writer
Political correctness is differently-abled (I swear my computer just autocorrected that). Everyone is always afraid of offending anyone. Recently popping up in the news was that the University of Winnipeg is looking at renaming its sports teams; apparently the “Wesmen” is too gender exclusive. The university has had the name for decades, both for men and for women. There’s a strong attachment to the name from the university’s current students and alumni and there’s obviously meaningful history associated with it too. But the top brass are considering a name change because they think it upsets the fairer race? Should the province be renamed Personitoba? Judging by the number of females at the university who have also spoken out against the potential name change, I think I can safely assume I’m not just a blind, insensitive male in this situation.
But sports teams changing their names is nothing new. Every single possibly offensive term is slowly being weeded out. Arkansas State University used to be known athletically as the “Indians.” Now? They’re the Red Wolves. Same thing happened at Oklahoma City University; what was formerly the “Chiefs” is now the “Stars.” It’s examples like these that make me want to walk out into society and scream sexist and racist obscenities just to balance out the extreme oversensitivity. I fail to see anything wrong with being called the “Indians.” There’s no mention of colour, which seems to be the most popular complaint from minorities, and there’s nothing added to the term that is insulting. If a team were called the “Red and Bloodthirsty Indians” then I could see a real problem arising. But it doesn’t seem like any team has ever been so inappropriately named.
Why are some minorities singled out as opposed to others? Notre Dame has always been the “Fighting Irish,” but isn’t that disrespectful towards the Irish? The University of North Dakota was forced to change its name from the “Fighting Sioux” a few years back (a name many North American Indians fought to keep), and I’m seeing a slight similarity between the names. Is it because North Americans are originally from Britain that the continent continued the everlasting beat down on the Leprechauns? What about the Montreal Canadiens? Seems like a blatant disregard for our nation within a nation’s feelings, doesn’t it?
Sexism and racism are, if the previous examples prove anything, selective when it comes to being PC. The term “stewardess” is considered sexist, and has been phased out and replaced by “flight attendant.” However, this wasn’t done to preserve the dignity of those males who assist passengers on planes; it was to erase the image that flight attendants were always female and always there to serve you. How come women get to play with a double-headed nickel? If you’re going to be politically correct, at least be consistent about it.
