# Brandeis University considers 'picnic' to be oppressive language **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 25, 2021, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandeis-university-considers-picnic-to-be-oppressive-language/945016 "2021-06-25T19:26:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 450
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2021, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandeis-university-considers-picnic-to-be-oppressive-language/945016/450 "2021-07-02T04:00:31Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > Why must we take seriously anyone who objects to some word or phrase, even when it isn’t directed at them, but ignore the discomfort of people struggling with constant, senseless (to them) changes to their language imposed on them from above? Because generally the former is much bigger than the latter. This thread has (morphed into) an attempt to show the hurt of needing to learn new terms and it’s completely failed. > [@DemonTree](#): > > Still, not everyone knows this, and more importantly may not know what term to use instead. Here you are judging them for not being as smart/knowledgeable/well educated as you, while simultaneously claiming it’s irrational for people to fear being judged. I didn’t say “smart” nor did I compare anyone to me. It’s simply society expecting individuals to be aware of things that have been true and well-known for decades. If this seems unfair note that it’s the same with just about anything, from table manners to expectations for civility, to business conventions: yes, society judges harshly those who ignore changes that have been true _for decades_. Having said all that, if I were speaking to an elderly person and they used “colored” in a context that didn’t appear to show any malice or racism, I’d probably ignore it. You’re trying really hard to find a problem here. > [@DemonTree](#): > > But many people dislike political correctness because of their own experiences; news stories pander to this because they know it is unpopular. No, it’s because it ticks various psychological buttons. Often when you ask people about the main PC things that drive them mad, they will list off complete myths. And they can be genuinely upset. It’s difficult to tell them “Yeah, those are all bullshit”. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brandeis-university-considers-picnic-to-be-oppressive-language/945016)._