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CTV: Advocacy group calls for critical thinking on language amid whiteout celebrations

April 12, 2019 — 

Black Space Winnipeg, an advocacy group, wants people to think about language and the impact words have, going on to say the Winnipeg Jets “whiteout” party is not inclusive.

As CTV reporter Gabriel Marchand reports:

University of Manitoba sociology professor Lori Wilkinson said while people might not have had conversations about the language at that time, it doesn’t mean they can’t have them now.

“This gives us a chance to talk about how our words have meaning that we might not be thinking about at the time when we’re using them,” said Wilkinson.

“In the English language and in North America we often talk about good things being white and bad things being black. Why do we have the word blackmail? Why isn’t it whitemail? Or we talk about the black sheep of the family versus the white knight that comes in and rescues you.”

Wilkinson also said it serves as an educational moment when people can develop understanding and perspective they might not normally have.

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