Updating Our Language - Day 22
“Off the Reservation”
Meaning: deviating from what’s expected, going rogue
Over time, this phrase came to describe anyone acting outside of what is expected, but this was not how it was originally used. The term was originally used by the government during communication to report on whether or not Indigenous people were abiding by orders to stay in their designated living areas.
These were Indigenous people who had been removed from their land and placed in reservations.
Throughout July we will be making posts about updating our language.
We live in a society that has normalized using many words and phrases with racist origins.
Part of the anti-racist work involves acknowledging you have used them, beginning the process of eliminating them from your vocabulary, and gently correcting others when you hear them used.
Throughout July we will be making posts about updating our language.
We live in a society that has normalized using many words and phrases with racist origins.
Part of the anti-racist work involves acknowledging you have used them, beginning the process of eliminating them from your vocabulary, and gently correcting others when you hear them used.
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