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From: michaelm@3comvax.UUCP (Michael McNeil)
Newsgroups: net.singles,net.nlang
Subject: Re: Sex is Funny to Eskimos
Message-ID: <406@3comvax.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 8-Feb-86 00:08:40 EST
Article-I.D.: 3comvax.406
Posted: Sat Feb  8 00:08:40 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 11-Feb-86 04:54:12 EST
References: <548@hounx.UUCP> <15600029@uiucdcsb>
Reply-To: michaelm@3comvax.UUCP (Michael McNeil)
Organization: 3Com Corp; Mountain View, CA
Lines: 30
Xref: watmath net.singles:10186 net.nlang:4132

In article <15600029@uiucdcsb> render@uiucdcsb.CS.UIUC.EDU writes:
>> 'Eskimo' is a derogatory term meaning 'eater of raw meat'.
>> Their name for themselves is 'Inuit'.
>
>     Having learned about Inuit culture as a child (progressive schooling)
>and having a great deal of respect for them as a people,  let me also state
>that I did not know that 'Eskimo' was a derogatory term to them.  I think it
>is possible to inform people of this fact without being condescending and
>pedantic.
>                                     Hal Render

I remember hearing (on a nature program about the far north I believe
it was, but I don't recall which right now), that only in Canada is the
term Inuit used for Eskimos.  In Alaska they are still known as Eskimo.  

As far as I'm able to recollect from my memory of the program, Alaskan
Eskimos do not find this name offensive.  Can someone with more direct
knowledge of the Eskimo in contemporary Alaska shed more light on this?  

-- 

Michael McNeil
3Com Corporation     "All disclaimers including this one apply"
(415) 960-9367
..!ucbvax!hplabs!oliveb!3comvax!michaelm

	The way that can be walked on is not the perfect way.  
	The word that can be said is not the perfect word.  
		Lao-Tzu, 3rd century B.C., *Tao Te Ching*,
		Poem 1, translated as *The Way of Life*