Will adcoms look at my PS in a negative light?

[phillyapple]

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I submitted my primary last night after getting multiple opinions and revising my PS over 2 weeks. I felt pretty good about it, but somebody sent me their comments today after I sent the PS to them to last week.

In my PS I mentioned stories of the patients I encountered. One of those patients had a father that played "Negro League" baseball. Because, to me, his story was one of the most impactful ones, I mentioned that I met a "son of a Negro League baseball player" amongst a couple of anecdotes from other patients. However, one of the comments I received was that I should not use any potentially controversial wording, even though the word was used in the right context.

I see the editor's point, and I am very concerned that adcoms might see my use of an offensive word in a negative light and this would ruin my application. I now understand that I should have erred on the side of caution and not included the detail but I've already submitted and it is there. Does anyone have any additional insight as to if this will actually be an issue?

 

[Dr. Attucks]

I mean he really did play in the negro leagues you're fine. I'm black btw

 

[gyngyn]

Let it go.

 

[lull]

I know a lot of people who get offended when someone uses a derogatory word in any context, even if it's something as menial as singing a song with an offensive word in it and I know a lot who don't care. I personally couldn't care less if someone chooses to use derogatory words, especially in a context like that. You might offend someone, but there isn't really much you can do now so just move on.

 

[anhnen5]

I think if you said in your PS that is what it's officially called by the patient's father, I actually think it's fine depending on what your PS is about. It refers back to a time when that was something that was truly uncommon historically which I assume is the point you're even mentioning it about the patient. Now the word itself is offensive to some people, but it doesn't seem you're using the word in a derogatory way.

I agree with the other posters that you should just let it go and move on. Don't stress about it.

 

[phillyapple]

Of course I never meant the usage of the word in any derogatory way, and I guess that is clear from the context that I used it in. Anyway, time to move on. Thanks for all of your input.

 

[stubblesmcgee]

Since you capitalized it, you're fine. The Negro leagues were officially known as that and are still referred to as such. It's certainly nothing like saying the n-word while singing a song like another user seems to be implying.

 

[LizzyM]

There was such a thing as the Negro League. No one should be offended by the name of a defunct baseball league. that the wording would be controversial is pure bullshi+.

 

[Goro]

There was such a thing as the Negro League. No one should be offended by the name of a defunct baseball league. that the wording would be controversial is pure bullshi+.

Indeed. Note that there are museums for the Negro Leagues! Yet the PC fools worry about; you shouldn't, OP.
Home
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Forgotten History

BTW, if you guys want some interesting summer reading on the subject, I highly recommend Only the Ball was White: A History of Legendary Black Players and All-Black Professional Teams
by Robert W. Peterson