Re: Reading Quotations and gender

[Jana-Ruth Achbach <jachbach@JEFFCO.K12.CO.US>]

Bonnie Stauffacher wrote:

>         Before we distribute or post these quotes, let's take a few minutes to
> make sure they are inclusive. Changing a word or two will in all cases do the
> trick.

I certainly will NOT make these suggested changes.  If I am quoting, I'm
quoting, not changing language to fit someone's idea of political correctness.
I will not perpetuate this mistaken idea that the use of a general term like
"mankind" is going to make girls feel excluded.  Give our children more credit
than that.  Yes, many of the quotes are quite old (& quite good for the
purpose), but wouldn't that provide a great opportunity for a conversation
(teachable moment) about history, how times and language and people change, or
how word meanings perhaps aren't always as litteral as some believe (or would
like) them to be. We often create a bigger problem than we seek to solve when we
get so mired in political correctness that we fail to present information
honestly & truthfully.

Jana-Ruth Achbach, LIS
Arvada High School
Arvada, CO  80004
jachbach@jeffco.k12.co.us

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
 To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email to:
   listserv@listserv.syr.edu          In the message write EITHER:
    1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
 4) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv
 For LM_NET Help & Archives see:  http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=