The word "field" is a racial slur now.

[Pommer]

No Fields Medal joke yet? Outstanding.

It don’t add up?

 

[Jonaitis]

How ridiculous.

 

[Desk trauma]

It don’t add up?

It would be derivative.

 

[RDKirk]

I've been sitting and discussing with my wife how a word like "field" could become something that is perceived as so distressing to some other black people that they can't bear to hear it expressed in any context.

Of course, the origin of negativity about the word is in the use during slavery of "field (negro)" and "house (negro)" (are we going to see the word "house" next banned?).

There is no general concept among black people that the word "field" in itself is malignant. There hasn't been some long-held feeling passed down by black mothers to their children from generation to generation that we view "field" with distaste.

But when numerous black people work up a word that is used benignly in so many other contexts (and, frankly, "field (negro)" isn't particularly malignant anyway) that major state institutions feel a need to ban it, that points to some very particular propaganda promulgation at work.

I strongly suspect that this was the thesis or dissertation of some black studies professor, then taught to students and picked up by other professors.

 

[Landon Caeli]

In my field, to say "I'm in the field" means I'm not doing office work, but doing hands-on work outside.

It's a pretty common word to use in my, uh, job.

 

[keith99]

I've been sitting and discussing with my wife how a word like "field" could become something that is perceived as so distressing to some other black people that they can't bear to hear it expressed in any context.

Of course, the origin of negativity about the word is in the use during slavery of "field (negro)" and "house (negro)" (are we going to see the word "house" next banned?).

There is no general concept among black people that the word "field" in itself is malignant. There hasn't been some long-held feeling passed down by black mothers to their children from generation to generation that we view "field" with distaste.

But when numerous black people to work up a word that is used benignly in so many other contexts (and, frankly, "field (negro)" isn't particularly malignant anyway) that major start institutions feel a need to ban it, that points to some very particular propaganda promulgation at work.

I strongly suspect that this was the thesis or dissertation of some black studies professor, then taught to students and picked up by other professors.

Perhaps there is even a second rather nasty twist to this. I am pretty sure at least some of those professors have done almost all their work far removed from the common black person. In short, they have never done any field work and think their ebony tower musings are far better than anything that could be learned by actually surveying people in the outside world.

 

[durangodawood]

The fields of math and physics do not appreciate the idea of restricting the word "field". Also science fiction, because where would we be without our force fields?

Yes . Higgs was a boson, not a slave owner.

 

[Hans Blaster]

It is well meaning, but clueless. I don't even have to go back five generations: I've worked in fields growing up. It may come a shock to some, but field work is a farming thing, not a racial one.

I worked in fields for at least 4 summers in my teen years, then I worked in a factory for 5.

 

[Hans Blaster]

Field is on the chopping block? Seriously? In all of its denotations?

What's next? The term "discipline" will be considered a form of aggressive coercion? Sheesh!

I suppose by that logic, "self-control" goes next .......................................................

I'm fine with banishing references to "philosophy".

That is a serious stain on one's family history.

 

[Bradskii]

Perhaps there is even a second rather nasty twist to this. I am pretty sure at least some of those professors have done almost all their work far removed from the common black person. In short, they have never done any field work and think their ebony tower musings are far better than anything that could be learned by actually surveying people in the outside world.

'Ebony tower'? Did you intentionally swap that from the ivory version just in case it caused offence, or was it a Freudian slip?

 

[Petros2015]

What's going on? When that came out I thought Pat was hot. Now I prefer her mum at the beginning of the video...

Heh. Still love the song but the vid is almost unwatchable lol

 

[RDKirk]

'Ebony tower'? Did you intentionally swap that from the ivory version just in case it caused offence, or was it a Freudian slip?

I presume it was deliberate.

I intend to steal it.

 

[keith99]

I presume it was deliberate.

I intend to steal it.

You can't steal it! I freely give it to you and others. I do like it even better when you use it.

 

[grasping the after wind]

Good thing the past tense of feel is felt. Be difficult if it was feeled.

 

[Say it aint so]

I hate when words and terms are misconstrued and weaponized. Here in America that is a cottage industry used in a myriad of ways. In the case of "field" it's miserably used in an attempt for some kind of empathy. In other cases words or terms are used to exert fear for the same of demonizing others for the sake power.

 

[durangodawood]

How does "field" have to go, but "work" gets to stay?

 

[RDKirk]

A black person being triggered by someone saying "field" is like Jew being triggered by someone saying "oven."

Yeah. Godwin. I went there.

 

[durangodawood]

A black person being triggered by someone saying "field" is like Jew being triggered by someone saying "oven."

Yeah. Godwin. I went there.

Right. Or "camp".

 

[Desk trauma]

A black person being triggered by someone saying "field" is like Jew being triggered by someone saying "oven."

Yeah. Godwin. I went there.

Godwin requires a comparison of someone or a policy to the Nazis. That's just a holocaust joke and if we cant joke about genocide are we really free?

 

[Aldebaran]

I've been sitting and discussing with my wife how a word like "field" could become something that is perceived as so distressing to some other black people that they can't bear to hear it expressed in any context.

Of course, the origin of negativity about the word is in the use during slavery of "field (negro)" and "house (negro)" (are we going to see the word "house" next banned?).

Certain rooms of the house have had their names banned lately. Realtors no longer refer to the master bedroom anymore. "Master" is supposedly another trigger word.
I'm surprised "trigger" hasn't been banned yet. Brings to mind images of gun violence.