Remember this from when you were a child: Sticks and stones my break my bones but names will never hurt me.  

The Associated Press has a style book that tells its reporters what words to use in specified situations.  It appears that the “word usage department” has determined the desire to not hurt anyone’s feelings has taken priority over reality.

Thus AP has decided the words “illegal immigrant” might be offensive to some people.  Therefore “undocumented workers” must be substituted for “illegal workers” arguing that the word “illegal” is dehumanizing and lumps border crossers with serious criminals. Some people even view the words “illegal immigrant” a form of hate speech.  They refuse to utter those words, referring only to the “I-word.”

 I must counter with the question, what do you call a petty thief?  After all he is a thief.  The answer is shop lifter, pick pocket, larcenist, pilferer, stick up artist, etc.  Sorry to say but at the end of the day a thief is a thief.

An illegal immigrant is someone who crossed the border without permission.  He has broken the laws regarding entry into the country.  It’s not just the United States.  Whether you drive into Canada or fly into Canada, the Canadian authorities ask where you are from, where you are going, and how long do you intend to stay in their country.

What should we call a murderer?  What should we call someone who has been unfaithful to their spouse?  Whatever we call them we won’t want to use a word that would hurt their feelings.  After all, words do matter.