OldLady
Diamond Member
- Nov 16, 2015
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Two phrases being thrown around in the lingo lately that I thoroughly object to:
"Virtue signaling" and "Indigenous Peoples Day"
In less than a week, both of these phrases have come popping up in my lexicon, and I thoroughly object to the use of both in the way they are being popularly used.
Virtune signaling is being used here on USMB to criticize anyone expressing empathy for the victims of Harvey or anything else, like homeless or hungry people. What it really means, according to Wikipedia, is:
Virtue signalling is the conspicuous expression of moral values done primarily with the intent of enhancing standing within a social group. The term was first used in signalling theory, to describe any behavior that could be used to signal virtue—especially piety among the religious.[1] Since 2015, the term has become more commonly used as a pejorative characterization by commentators to criticize what they regard as the platitudinous, empty, or superficial support of certain political views, and also used within groups to criticize their own members for valuing outward appearance over substantive action.[2][3][4] This more recent usage of the term has been criticized for misusing the concept of signalling and encouraging lazy thinking.[5]
It isn't "lazy thinking." It is being used for targeted personal attacks against political opponents and means nothing, but scrapes the bottom of the barrel for mean spirited trolling.
Indigenous Peoples Day:
The Bangor City Council has changed the name "Columbus Day" to "Indigenous Peoples Day," just like that. The local Bangor news channel does a daily web poll question, and 80% of the respondents DO NOT AGREE with changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. So how does the City Council justify this change in the name of a national holiday with a mouthful of a holiday that doesn't even mean anything to most people? "Indigenous peoples" isn't the term we use around here. We say Native Americans, and the real old timers say "Indians." We have four Native tribes and reservations here in Maine and they are active in our local and state affairs. They are widely respected and I have absolutely nothing against a day to honor their contributions to America.
What doesn't make sense is (1) using a term so meaningless to most people (2) placing it on the day a European first stumbled upon the Bahamas. Not a good day for Native Americans, for sure.
If we are going to continue to celebrate Europe's discovery that the Americas existed, keep it on Columbus Day and give us our three day weekend so people can close up their camps for the winter. Have the Native Americans choose a significant date and have it be something awesome, not awful, that is being commemorated. And please, can we call it something more meaningful and less professorial than "Indigenous Peoples Day?"
A coworker of mine with some Native heritage works on Columbus Day, refusing to acknowledge it. I understand that, too. But don't change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. PUHLEEEZ.
"Virtue signaling" and "Indigenous Peoples Day"
In less than a week, both of these phrases have come popping up in my lexicon, and I thoroughly object to the use of both in the way they are being popularly used.
Virtune signaling is being used here on USMB to criticize anyone expressing empathy for the victims of Harvey or anything else, like homeless or hungry people. What it really means, according to Wikipedia, is:
Virtue signalling is the conspicuous expression of moral values done primarily with the intent of enhancing standing within a social group. The term was first used in signalling theory, to describe any behavior that could be used to signal virtue—especially piety among the religious.[1] Since 2015, the term has become more commonly used as a pejorative characterization by commentators to criticize what they regard as the platitudinous, empty, or superficial support of certain political views, and also used within groups to criticize their own members for valuing outward appearance over substantive action.[2][3][4] This more recent usage of the term has been criticized for misusing the concept of signalling and encouraging lazy thinking.[5]
It isn't "lazy thinking." It is being used for targeted personal attacks against political opponents and means nothing, but scrapes the bottom of the barrel for mean spirited trolling.
Indigenous Peoples Day:
The Bangor City Council has changed the name "Columbus Day" to "Indigenous Peoples Day," just like that. The local Bangor news channel does a daily web poll question, and 80% of the respondents DO NOT AGREE with changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. So how does the City Council justify this change in the name of a national holiday with a mouthful of a holiday that doesn't even mean anything to most people? "Indigenous peoples" isn't the term we use around here. We say Native Americans, and the real old timers say "Indians." We have four Native tribes and reservations here in Maine and they are active in our local and state affairs. They are widely respected and I have absolutely nothing against a day to honor their contributions to America.
What doesn't make sense is (1) using a term so meaningless to most people (2) placing it on the day a European first stumbled upon the Bahamas. Not a good day for Native Americans, for sure.
If we are going to continue to celebrate Europe's discovery that the Americas existed, keep it on Columbus Day and give us our three day weekend so people can close up their camps for the winter. Have the Native Americans choose a significant date and have it be something awesome, not awful, that is being commemorated. And please, can we call it something more meaningful and less professorial than "Indigenous Peoples Day?"
A coworker of mine with some Native heritage works on Columbus Day, refusing to acknowledge it. I understand that, too. But don't change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. PUHLEEEZ.