AP Deletes Tweet About ‘Dehumanizing’ Language: ‘We Did Not Intend to Offend’
The Associated Press has deleted a tweet about words potentially seen as dehumanizing. In a tweet Friday, the AP Stylebook account wrote, “We deleted an earlier tweet because of an inappropriate reference to French…
The Associated Press has deleted a tweet about words potentially seen as dehumanizing.
In a tweet Friday, the AP Stylebook account wrote, “We deleted an earlier tweet because of an inappropriate reference to French people. We did not intend to offend.”
“Writing French people, French citizens, etc., is good. But ‘the’ terms for any people can sound dehumanizing and imply a monolith rather than diverse individuals,” it continued. “That is why we recommend avoiding general ‘the’ labels such as the poor, the mentally ill, the wealthy, the disabled, the college-educated.”
Additionally, it suggested, “Use wording such as people with mental illnesses or wealthy people. Use these descriptions only when clearly relevant and that relevance is made clear in the story.”
“Be specific when possible and relevant, such as people with incomes below the poverty line,” the tweet added.
In a tweet on Thursday, the outlet wrote, “We recommend avoiding general and often dehumanizing ‘the’ labels such as the poor, the mentally ill, the French, the disabled, the college-educated. Instead, use wording such as people with mental illnesses. And use these descriptions only when clearly relevant.”
However, it was quickly mocked as users noted the part of section of the tweet that listed “the French” as an example.
The AP’s revised tweet still wound up being mocked.
Columnist Josh Barro tweeted, “The idea that this is ‘dehumanizing’ is completely invented, a made-up problem.”
Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) wrote, “THE woke!”
Michael Weiss, a senior correspondent at Yahoo News, tweeted, “They’ll lose twice. First by offending, em, French people, and then by their perceived capitulation to ‘le wokeisme.'”
Journalist Ben Dreyfuss chimed in, “This is even more funny tbh. The French were not offended by this!!!!! People just thought it was stupid lol.”
https://Twitter.com/bendreyfuss/status/1619030529332084736
Twitter owner Elon Musk asked, “So then why do call yourself ‘The’ Associated Press.”
Sport commentator Dan Dakich suggested the AP should simply “shut the hell up.”