re: #167 marjoriemoon

It is new. Not yesterday new, but it’s only been used in maybe the last 10 years.

Lots of Jews refuse to use the word “Jew” when describing themselves. They will use “Jewish”. We had a discussion here about that, but I was first introduced to the idea on beliefnet. Is JewISH only kind of a Jew? And since Jew is often attached to negative adjectives, Jews started shying away from the usage:

He’s a Jewish man.
He’s a Jew.

I prefer #2. #1 is redundant anyway. HE is a man so you don’t have to say HE is a MAN. But you do if you use “Jewish”.

Same principle in reverse with “people of color.” Just because you’re one of the tribe (either tribe) doesn’t make it right.

Still comes down to judging others on what they feel is okay as a self-referencing term. If they’re okay with it, then I’m okay with it.

Upthread there was discussion of the term ‘redneck’. I don’t like it myself because it has a history of being a disparaging term. I know ‘rednecks’ though. People that like referencing themselves as ‘rednecks’ and proud of the moniker. They even call me a redneck now. So if that’s what they want then fine. With them I’ll go with it.

Similiar thing with the word ‘queer’. At one time most of it’s use was negative. Now it’s a term that’s been taken back so to speak and is used to self-reference all of the time. If it’s alright with the group or person using the term then fine, it’s alright with me.