Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz. referred to Black people as "colored people" Thursday in floor debate over his proposed amendment to an annual defense policy bill, prompting a stern rebuke from the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Lawmakers were debating a series of GOP-backed amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, which the House aims to pass by the end of the week.
  • zalack@kbin.social
    111·
    1 year ago

    Because it leads to measurable difference in empathy response:

    A 2008 experiment researched teenagers’ perception of epilepsy with respect to people-first language. Teenagers from a summer camp were divided into two groups. One group was asked questions using the term “people with epilepsy”, and the other group was asked using the term “epileptics”, with questions including “Do you think that people with epilepsy/epileptics have more difficulties at school?” and “Do you have prejudice toward people with epilepsy/epileptics?” The study showed that the teenagers had higher “stigma perception” on the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy when hearing the phrase “epileptics” as opposed to “people with epilepsy”.

    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01899.x

    The human brain is weird and wired wrong for modern life. The best way to master our worst impulses is to try and do small things that nudge it in the right direction.

    If you’ve ever done Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, it’s a similar idea. Identify behaviours you can practice that help you think the way you want to think.

    • Urbanfox@lemmy.world
      13·
      1 year ago

      That’s a really cool study.

      People are very quick to discard unconscious biases because they think they’re above it, but they’re not.

      You can understand your biases and try to account for it, but unless you really delve into them you won’t know.