Tom [Hentoff] - it started when he was the editor of the…
![“Tom [Hentoff] - it started when he was the editor of the paper at Wesleyan and the - members of the staff. This was the first wave of political correctness. The editors of the staff members came and said he must - he must, from now on, stop using 'freshmen' and - in-as part of the policy of the…” quote by Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/2bc/nat-hentoff-1615_correctness_tom-hentoff-it-started-when-he-was-the-e_1887824.png)
“Tom [Hentoff] - it started when he was the editor of the paper at Wesleyan and the - members of the staff. This was the first wave of political correctness. The editors of the staff members came and said he must - he must, from now on, stop using 'freshmen' and - in-as part of the policy of the paper. It had to be 'freshperson.' Therefore, you don't - you're not discriminating against males or females. They were very fervent about that, and he was equally fervent about not politicizing language. So until he left, 'freshmen' stayed.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Efforts to neutralize language for gender neutrality can become overly prescriptive, ignoring practical usage.
In simple terms: Gender‑neutral language changes can be excessive.
Key Takeaway
Balance inclusivity with practicality.
Themes
language
gender
political correctness
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
commentary
analytical
When to use this quote
- editorial policies
- academic settings
- media style guides
Key Concepts
sociolinguistics
identity politics
Questions to Reflect On
- When is language change necessary?
- Who decides acceptable terms?
A Different Perspective
Strict rules may suppress natural language evolution.