In Seattle, the terms 'citizen' and 'brown bag' are now offensive

UPI ^ | August 2, 2013 | KRISTEN BUTLER

[ConservativeStatement]

Public information officers for the City of Seattle have been advised to stop using the terms "citizen" and "brown bag" -- as in brown-bag lunch -- saying they could be offensive to some city residents.

Elliott Bronstein of the Office for Civil Rights circulated the memo encouraging government employees to avoid using the potentially offensive terms.

[ConservativeStatement]

I guess the Seattle Citizens and Seattle Brown Bags won't be considered for any potential NBA or NHL teams in Seattle.

[cripplecreek]

And this is how the nazis manipulated language to make the German people more accepting of nazi ideals.

[fhayek]

I am offended by people who get offended.

[Cyclone59]

I wish I lived in Seattle just so I could have a t-shirt that says:

I am a citizen and I brown bag my lunch every day!

[Fzob]

The stupid is strong is Seattle.

[rktman]

Must be white folk code words.
citizen=commie
brown bag=black folks.

[Bayard]

Citizen is just the next bourgeois!

[Gator113]

One more reason that I am so darn glad that I am retired.

[cherry]

black box

black bag

tall, dark and handsome

white knight

its clear as black and white...

to "gyp" and to "jew" someone down in price...

little white lies...

dark heart...

ride in on your white horse..

black as the ace of spades...

brown noser...

throw in the white flag...

okay ....on the count of 3, lets all WHINE...

[DoughtyOne]

However ‘dirt bag’ is still acceptable, and that’s what would get my vote concerning anyone who opted to take out ‘citizen’.

[JoeDetweiler]

Bronstein’s “brown bag” story definitely sounds like an urban legend. If anyone here is a member in good standing at Snopes they should bring it up there. (And, yes, I know Snopes isn’t real popular here, but they have exposed a number of other African-American urban legends over the years....)

[randog]

Elliott Bronstein of the Office for Civil Rights...

...needs to justify his job, so in a municipal "make-work" effort, Elliott creates an "issue" that requires his immediate attention.

[RadiationRomeo]

The reign of terror in France was the craziest enforcement of offensive words. Ironically you had to use the term ‘citizen’ or face the guillotine. Hopefully smarter people than me can explain this better.

[ConservativeStatement]

He should change his last name. Bron resembles brown. I am offended.

[cripplecreek]

The Language of the 3rd Reich was written by Victor Klemperer. In the book he details how the nazis manipulated the people through language.

Some may think that it can’t be very effective but just look at what has happened to the word “Militia” over the past 30 years. It used to conjure images of honor, duty, and patriotism. Today most people think racist hillbillies seeking to overthrow government or homicidal muslims.

[turducken]

Elliott Bronstein of the Office for Civil Rights

Geez you couldn't make this stuff up.

[cripplecreek]

There used to be a local civil rights agitator named Flamingo Brown. She’s busy complaining about the way Satan runs the place now.

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2011/06/event_planned_to_honor_late_ja.html

[ConservativeStatement]

In certain communities, she could have been a pink Flamingo.

[ConorMacNessa]

All I can say is "Aux Armes, Citoyens!"

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Forward the Light Brigade]

I wonder if “comrade” and “Worker” are also Offesive—I bet not.