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White folks: Surgically remove the noun "savage" from your vocabulary.
Please, I'm begging here.
Please, I'm begging here.
Okay, this legitimately blew the heck up. So, naturally now, I should probably do some education/answer some FAQs.
1: What about the adjective/adverb?
Are you referring to a literal animal? If not then no, you probably shouldn't. The noun is the most egregious, (2/9)
1: What about the adjective/adverb?
Are you referring to a literal animal? If not then no, you probably shouldn't. The noun is the most egregious, (2/9)
especially when used as a sub in for whole populations, but nevertheless, it's still a problem as that word has been used to denigrate communities of colour, excuse genocide and eugenics, and excuse violent crimes in the name of colonization. (3/9)
1.5: What about wild, untamed lands then?
They didn't exist for the most part. In modern connotation, the lands we dubbed "savage" was in fact cared for land, often stewarded by the various nations that made up its peoples. Those were curated forests, not 'wild'. (4/9)
They didn't exist for the most part. In modern connotation, the lands we dubbed "savage" was in fact cared for land, often stewarded by the various nations that made up its peoples. Those were curated forests, not 'wild'. (4/9)
The reality is that, in the real world, it was yet another excuse for colonization. Ignoring the care that went into these places allowed us to ignore its peoples.
In fantasy, sure, these can exist, but other words without that weight also do, use them. (5/9)
In fantasy, sure, these can exist, but other words without that weight also do, use them. (5/9)
2: Can it be reclaimed/rehabilitated?
Language is allowed to evolve, yes, but this word has harmed people all around the world. From the First Nations, to many places in sub-Saharan Africa, to West and South Asia. And that's the smallest of sample platters. (6/9)
Language is allowed to evolve, yes, but this word has harmed people all around the world. From the First Nations, to many places in sub-Saharan Africa, to West and South Asia. And that's the smallest of sample platters. (6/9)
Personally I don't think one group can reclaim it without accidentally inviting harm unto the others. So I'd have to say no.
3: My product doesn't take place in *our* world, so is it okay then?
No, because your readers, players do. Your product does real life harm. (7/9)
3: My product doesn't take place in *our* world, so is it okay then?
No, because your readers, players do. Your product does real life harm. (7/9)
4: Can you offer some suggestions for replacements?
Sure. For the noun, name them, rather than grouping them all under a banner like "savage".
For the adjective? Vicious, cruel, if you intend them to be a harmful group. If not, don't go out of your way to otherize them. (8/9)
Sure. For the noun, name them, rather than grouping them all under a banner like "savage".
For the adjective? Vicious, cruel, if you intend them to be a harmful group. If not, don't go out of your way to otherize them. (8/9)
For animals: voracious, frightening, fierce
For lands: don't, this is directly colonial in mindset.
I don't claim to be the arbiter of this word, but in general this is a good lesson for us all to learn.
Words are not just words, and some need to be left behind. (9/9)
For lands: don't, this is directly colonial in mindset.
I don't claim to be the arbiter of this word, but in general this is a good lesson for us all to learn.
Words are not just words, and some need to be left behind. (9/9)
