The AP Stylebook made a big statement this week when it redefined what it means to be living in a country illegally.
Going forward the publication no longer will sanction the term — illegal immigrant.
In fact, the word “illegal” should now only be used to describe an action, not a person.
If you don’t think that’s huge, then you either don’t know what the AP Stylebook is or you don’t understand the power of words.
We’ve all been trained to think that names don’t hurt (just sticks and stones), and to a certain point it’s true. But you use the same word enough times to describe a specific group, and it sticks. And it’s not just the words it’s all the baggage that comes with it.
So, taking a stand and removing a word that contains so much negativity, is a huge step…hopefully in the right direction.
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