Ethnically Speaking by Larry Meeks

Dear Larry: In order to get vanity license plates for one's automobile, the rules require that the word(s) cannot be demeaning, vulgar or profane.

Just recently, the state of Oregon ordered a family to turn in their vanity plates because their Dutch last name, Udink, which is written on the plates, is similar to an offensive word.

A DMV representative said "U" could be construed as "You," and the rest of the word can be treated as a verb, which gives it a sexual reference, and it also can be a racial slur targeted at Vietnamese.

This reminds me of a situation years ago where a California couple was ordered by the state to remove their vanity plates because of complaints from members of the Japanese community. The plates had the couple's initials (RAP and JAP) on them.

OK, I understand "Jap" is derogative, but why do I not see them complaining about the snack food Cheese Nips because "Nip" can be a derogative term?

Now that I am on this subject a bit, why do I not hear complaints from the Hispanic community about the cleaning product Spic and Span? Nor do I hear any complaints from the Native-American community about Redskin Peanuts, but they are complaining about the National Football League's Washington Redskins. As a Caucasian, should I be offended by the snack food Cracker Jack?

I will admit, Udink sounds rather odd for a Dutch surname, but I think people should not take offense to this.

Larry, my question is, in this era of political correctness, why are more people focused on the double meaning of a word than its actual definition? — Patrick

Dear Patrick: The more people or groups think of themselves as victims, the more likely they are to react to any perceived slight.

I remember a situation where a person speaking before a city council used the word niggardly. This is a perfectly acceptable word meaning cheap. It comes from Scandinavian and German words for stingy. The word has nothing to do with the Latin-based words that resulted in the famous "N" word.

One of the city councilors, who happens to be black, broke out in a tirade against the foreign-born speaker who said the word. The poor speaker stood in disbelief and wondered what was going on. All he could do was mutter the words "I am sorry."

After the council meeting, the councilor who went on the tirade was taught word origins, especially niggardly's origin. I am disappointed to report the councilor was not secure enough to apologize.

Dear Larry: I am a 27-year-old college-educated black female. Your column "Obtaining Political Power" offends me. It was very discouraging and disappointing because you lumped all minorities in one political category: Democratic. This is not fair. You should know better than that. I vote for the person, not the party. — Stacy

Dear Stacy: I am glad you vote for the person and not the party. Black Americans vote more than 90 percent for one political party. Until that changes, I am statistically safe to lump blacks in one political category.

I am also safe in my assumption that until blacks become the swing vote, they will never have any real political power. Their vote is taken for granted by one party and unattainable by the other.

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