NY schools try to ban the word "dinosaur"

Adam Khor

Among other considered "ofenssive" to children, because, well you know, not everyone believes in evolution. :rolleyes:

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03/26/war-on-words-nyc-dept-of-education-wants-50-forbidden-words-removed-from-standardized-tests/

Mickeroo

JuliusCaesar

Adam Khor wrote: »

not everyone believes in evolution.

Only "evolutionists".....

Heard this word for the first time recently - by an Irish person! (Turned out to be a fundamentalist Christian. Beware - they are growing in number.)

Delirium

If they're banning words because they upset students, why don't they just ban the tests as they cause plenty of stress/upset/anxiety for students? :rolleyes:

wexie

Here is the complete list of words that could be banned:
Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological)
Alcohol (beer and liquor), tobacco, or drugs
Birthday celebrations (and birthdays)
Bodily functions
Cancer (and other diseases)
Catastrophes/disasters (tsunamis and hurricanes)
Celebrities
Children dealing with serious issues
Cigarettes (and other smoking paraphernalia)
Computers in the home (acceptable in a school or library setting)
Crime
Death and disease
Divorce
Evolution
Expensive gifts, vacations, and prizes
Gambling involving money
Halloween
Homelessness
Homes with swimming pools
Hunting
Junk food
In-depth discussions of sports that require prior knowledge
Loss of employment
Nuclear weapons
Occult topics (i.e. fortune-telling)
Parapsychology
Politics
Pornography
Poverty
Rap Music
Religion
Religious holidays and festivals (including but not limited to Christmas, Yom Kippur, and Ramadan)
Rock-and-Roll music
Running away
Sex
Slavery
Terrorism
Television and video games (excessive use)
Traumatic material (including material that may be particularly upsetting such as animal shelters)
Vermin (rats and roaches)
Violence
War and bloodshed
Weapons (guns, knives, etc.)
Witchcraft, sorcery, etc

......this seems like a perfect way of making sure that there'll be a whole generations of New Yorkers that'll have been taught absolutely sweet **** all about reality.

How would you discuss history without discussing slavery, politics, violence?
How do you teach kids gangs are bad without discussing crime and guns and violence?
Sexual responsibility? Religion? Healthy eating habits? Economics? Biology? Physics? Law?

What are they going to be teaching these kids? Origami?

dlofnep

steddyeddy

I think they should also ban genetics, zoology, microbiology, palaeontology, organic chemistry and biochemistry as they are just as likely to cause offense to someone who deosnt believe in evolution.

Adam Khor

steddyeddy wrote: »

I think they should also ban genetics, zoology, microbiology, palaeontology, organic chemistry and biochemistry as they are just as likely to cause offense to someone who deosnt believe in evolution.

And Pokemon.

Manach

It seems liberal PCism gone amok based on that list posted. Pity, as I was going to get the nephew a toy dinosaur for Christmas.

Ellis Dee

I just wish they could ban wilful ignorance.



Or maybe make cop on transplants available under Obamacare.

Galvasean

Firstly, sorry for only getting around to this now (I have been sans-internet for a full week).
I'm happy enough to leave this thread open once it doesn't descend into a religion/America bashing thread.
Once posting/discussion stays on topis we should be fine though.

Allosaur

JuliusCaesar wrote: »

Only "evolutionists".....

Heard this word for the first time recently - by an Irish person! (Turned out to be a fundamentalist Christian. Beware - they are growing in number.)

Speaking as an "Evolutionist" I am offended at the lack of tollerance and respect that banning the word "Dinosaur" from city examinations shows to my belief.

All I ask for is equal treatment on city exams.

Allosaur

Manach wrote: »

It seems liberal PCism blind stupidity gone amok based on that list posted. Pity, as I was going to get the nephew a toy dinosaur for Christmas.

There. Fixed it for you.

Allosaur

wexie wrote: »

What are they going to be teaching these kids? Origami?

Nope. Health and safety rules prevent the actual practice of Origami. However the theory of origami is acceptible to teach.

Even though it's just a theory...

Paarthurnax

They should ban the word God untill some tangible evidence is found! What about Barney the Dinosaur? How does he feel about the whole situation?