September 06, 2005
By definition, "refugee" isn't racist, but it is not descriptive enough
Jesse Jackson and others are jumping up and down about the use of the term "refugees" to describe those displaced from the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's fury last week. They claim the word to be racist.
This is not true when you look at the etymology and the definition of the word.
Personally, I think Jackson and the others would actually gravitate back toward the word if they stopped and looked at the true dictionary definition of the word.
One who flees in search of refuge, as in times of war, political oppression, or religious persecution.After all, Jackson and plenty on the left feel those evacuated from areas damaged or destroyed by Katrina are political refugees.
The common term being used by many however, both politically correct and otherwise -- and correctly so, is evacuee.
A person evacuated from a dangerous area.Indeed, that is what the people are.
But I have found a better word for them: Survivors. They have survived by the grace of God. And mark my words, most of them have taken to bended knee to thank God for His grace.
Posted by mhking at September 6, 2005 01:14 PM | TrackBackPlease note this is not, repeat not an issue of liberals vs anybody. Saw Jessie Jackson and he was not jumping up and down at all. This is far too serious an issue to acknowledge/bother with semantics & let's try not tho it may be difficult to get pulled down into the deep dark murky policitical waters, The more important issue is overcoming the incompetence in responding to the needs of citizens victimized by Katrina. Love, me
Posted by: carroll ann ellis at September 6, 2005 02:20 PM