networkn:

 

MikeB4:

 

Please tell how the term is not offensive and racist?

 

"Down syndrome refers to the 19th century English physician J. Langdon Down who described the condition in 1866. In great error, Langdon Down attributed the condition to a "reversion" to the "mongoloid race." He held that evolution had been reversed and there had been a sort of backslide from the superior Caucasian to the inferior Oriental race. The misnomer "mongolism" is incorrect and racist ."

 

 

No-one is disputing it's technically offensive and or racist, but what is being argued is what should be done about it. I and many others consider it equally offensive to destroy 20,000 books, which yes, technically, can be recycled but will have significant cost and does create environmental effects. 

 

I *think* most people who would have been offended, would be placated with a heartfelt apology, perhaps a donation to Downs Syndrome Research and an undertaking by the author to learn from their mistake. The small percentage of the small percentage of people who are affected and who wouldn't be placated, doesn't balance out destroying 20,000 books. 

 

 

 

I think you might be being a touch too sensitive on this one. 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes I am sensitive to racism and all prejudice and I make no apology for that. At least the author of the book did the right thing and withdrew it.