The language police have a new officer. His name is Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
At a town hall in early February, the Canadian leader interrupted a woman who was in the middle of asking him a question so he could instruct her to refrain from using the word “mankind” in her query to him. He advised her to use the imaginary word “peoplekind” instead because it is more gender-neutral language. (Note: “peoplekind” is not actually a word, but “humankind” is.)
With that in mind, and in an effort to make all language less offensive for all people, the word “mango” is being banned. Likewise, words like “maneuver,” “manual,” and others will no longer be used. That’s because they all have “man” in them. They must all be replaced by words that do not imply maleness or any gender.
Seriously, those words are not being deleted from usage. The video announcing the ban simply intended to humorously point out how ridiculous the argument over gender neutrality of language has gotten. When a prominent prime minister favors replacing “mankind” with a word that doesn’t exist, the debate has definitely reached new heights.
A more reasonable replacement for “mankind,” if a replacement is even needed, would be “humankind” — a word that already exists. And mango lovers everywhere can breathe a collection sigh of relief upon realizing they can still say the name of the sunny-colored tropical fruit that innocently mixes in fruit salads and smoothies but certainly never intended to be part of an intense language debate.
~ Liberty Video News
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