University of Michigan’s ‘Words Matter Task Force’ says the words ‘picnic’ and ‘brown bag’ are offensive

The University of Michigan has a “Words Matter Task Force,” and the organization has declared that certain words such as “picnic” and “brown bag” are offensive.

The Words Matter Task Force has “evaluated the terms and language conventions that may hinder effective communication, harm morale, and deliberately or inadvertently exclude people from feeling accepted to foment a healthy and inclusive culture.” The group, which is a part of Michigan’s Information and Technology Services, advises that people should avoid using so-called problematic words such as “privileged account,” “handicapped,” “blacklist,” “crazy,” “grandfathered,” and “dummy.”

The Information and Technology Services, a “trusted enabler of technology for the U-M community,” created the Words Matter Task Force. The group claims that by “using inclusive language, ITS is able to design and build better tools and services to meet customers’ needs.”

Despite the word “picnic” being labeled as offensive by the Words Matter Task Force, a Reuters fact-check article stated that the word “picnic” is “not racist” and “does not originate from the lynchings of African Americans.”

“The word picnic derives from the 17th century French word ‘pique-nique,’ a term used to describe a social gathering in which attendees each contributed with a portion of food or another useful item,” according to Dr David Pilgrim, author of several books on the history and cultural symbols of the Jim Crow era.

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