It’s OK to use the word ‘racist’ or ‘racism’ if it fits
It’s OK to use the word ‘racist’ or ‘racism’ if it fits
The Associated Press Stylebook on Friday offered new, updated guidance to media organizations over the use of the words, “racist” or “racism.” The media has too often used euphemisms to distance itself from the terms that truly fit the situation
Do not use racially charged or similar terms as euphemisms for racist or racism when the latter terms are truly applicable the new entry reads If racist is not the appropriate term give careful thought to how best to describe the situation. Alternatives include racially divisive racially sensitive or in some cases simply racial Times have changed particularly with the way the media has pussy footed around the words racist and racism As the Huffington Post points out in the media a racist slur becomes a racially tinged or racially charged remark as if race itself were anything but the product of racism There are a few notable exceptions CNN’s newscasts in particular where Don Lemon and Anderson Cooper have been refreshingly explicit calling racism exactly what it is The change was announced at the ACES The Society for Editing’s annual conference Specifically the new entry in the AP Stylebook reads.