AP says not to refer to ‘the’ French because it is ‘dehumanizing’
“We recommend avoiding general and often dehumanizing ‘the’ labels such as the poor, the mentally ill, the French, the disabled, the college-educated.”
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“We recommend avoiding general and often dehumanizing ‘the’ labels such as the poor, the mentally ill, the French, the disabled, the college-educated.”
The Associated Press tweeted an update to its style guide on Thursday that warns writers not to use "dehumanizing 'the' labels" in front of groups. Examples given by the outlet included "the poor," "the mentally ill," and "the French."
The tweet from the AP Stylebook read, "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."
French politician and former French presidential candidate Eric Zemmour responded to the AP's guidance, writing, "We are the French."
https://twitter.com/ZemmourEric/status/1618731250029854722?s=20&t=7Tr7pAploz7WUjn2u0fryA
It is not particularly clear why AP decided to go after the French in their tweet. Users were both entertained and confused by the tweet.
https://twitter.com/DanRobitzski/status/1618697653662916616?s=20&t=mSvFmHXDgGqN1YPnoXGexQ
https://twitter.com/RealBrittHughes/status/1618701593217744897?s=20&t=mSvFmHXDgGqN1YPnoXGexQ
"Aren’t you THE Associated Press?" one user pointed out.
https://twitter.com/thatpetewoods/status/1618672807982043138?s=20&t=VvCkZ4BCnUJnocNgeOVPZA
https://twitter.com/yaf/status/1618698184943091712?s=20&t=VvCkZ4BCnUJnocNgeOVPZA
One user, Kristen Mag, was quick to point out that the Associated Press had previously frivolously used the term "the unvaccinated" to describe people who have not received a Covid-19 vaccine.
"Oh you mean like how you dehumanize "the unvaccinated" too?" the tweet reads.
https://twitter.com/kristenmag/status/1618669225710850049
Twitter users gave suggestions for what to use in place of "the French," including "People of French experience," and, using the AP's example of "people with mental illness," "people with Frenchness"
https://twitter.com/ShelaghDolan/status/1618670654534057984?s=20&t=VvCkZ4BCnUJnocNgeOVPZA
https://twitter.com/PoliticalShort/status/1618662443991072768?s=20&t=mSvFmHXDgGqN1YPnoXGexQ
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