I had an exchange with someone I respect today where he said, "Can I say Asian? Oriental is what we no longer say, right?"

I said "Yes, correct. One is far more precise & reality based which is a part of why that word is better."

He said, "When I was growing up we described world as oriental or occidental."

I said, "Which erases a whole lot and centers and universalizes that which should not be centered and universalized."

He agreed.

Precision in language is an interesting shared value.

It is interesting to me that there was not one iota of defensive fragility in this exchange, even though this person probably leans further conservative or libertarian than I do. He cares about people. He cares about language. That was the hook.

I think that is kind of cool.

I have a lot of these relationships from the line of work I am in. White men in technology who may not realize how much easier they have it than folks who are the default. I like it when we find ways to connect and learn from each other. I appreciate a lack of defensive fragile.

I think conversations with me often function as an on ramp to appreciating difference instead of being threatened by it. Many men in business & tech tell me I help them grow their worldview.

It is fun to be a stealth radical. I don't seem like I am most of the time then, POW!

I think almost constantly about how to engage with other people more skillfully when they are also in engaging in good faith.
His appreciation of precise language matching reality was cool & might point a way forward for other interactions.

Made me smile on a Monday.