Geez, those Indians are touchy
The week's news at a glance.
Canada
Paul Whitney
The Edmonton Sun
Canadians are now free to insult one another, said Paul Whitney in The Edmonton Sun. Our top court has ruled that a boss can call Native American employees “Kemosabe” if he feels like it, and they shouldn’t take offense. A woman from the Mi’kmaq tribe in Nova Scotia brought a lawsuit last year, complaining that she found the nickname racist and demeaning. But after “several hours watching Lone Ranger reruns,” the court determined that Tonto’s pet name for his masked companion was a term of respect. Of course, Tonto was the native in the 1950s TV show, and “Kemosabe” referred to his white boss, while in the civil case the name was used the opposite way. But no matter. The point is, for Canadians, this ruling is liberating. Now “we can call each other whatever we want, as long as we base the name-calling on television characters that respect each other.” How about calling your wife “dingbat,” Archie Bunker’s endearment for Edith on All in the Family? If she takes umbrage, too bad for her. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but the Supreme Court will decide what names will never hurt me.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
5 high rating cartoons about Biden's low poll numbers
Cartoons Artists take on checklists, ice creams, and more
By The Week US Published
-
A gastronomic tour of the Costa de la Luz
The Week Recommends This Spanish spot has fantastic restaurants "rooted in the region's distinctive produce"
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: May 19, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published