Why Redskins is a bad word

McWhorter in this regard raises this question: “… what is so terrible about being referred to as red when Native Americans have reddish skin tone?” Perhaps it is that “Redskin” has for several centuries has been used as an insult that applies to more than the skin color of an individual. McWhorter makes one more point that should not be taken for granted: “… words not only have core meanings, but resonances of the kind that may not make into the dictionary but are deeply felt.” This is what we mean by the nuance of a word. McWhorter points out that these things are subtle. He once had to inform a foreign student that in a class discussion it was inappropriate to refer to another person as Jew rather than a Jewish person. The use of derogatory names like “Redskin” or even names that could potentially be taken as derogatory should really be avoided at all costs. The way in which these words reinforce negative stereotypes hurts people all across society. In a world that is more multicultural than ever we “ALL” have to work toward understanding each other better and recognizing the potential offense we may cause to others by using words without careful thought. Through patience, understanding and communication we can eliminate these forms of negative stereotypes and avoid using slurs.