Any alternative name for chinamans cave/gully?

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Any alternative name for chinamans cave/gully?

Postby jonnosan » Sun 05 Jun, 2016 1:17 pm

Howdy good people

I am planning on taking my daughter (who is 10) for a camp-out on Mt Solitary. In the course of describing the trip plan to her, I found myself feeling a little awkward when describing where I thought we would camp the night, i.e. Chinaman's cave. Knowing how it got that name ( http://www.pnc.com.au/~wells/Katoomba.html ) doesn't make me feel any less racist when trying to explain it to a 10 year old :-)

So just wondering if there are any known alternative names for that spot?

PS this is not intended as a criticism of the people who gave the place that name or everyone who continues to use it. Just looking for an alternative name I can use myself without feeling weird when I say it.
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Any alternative name for chinamans cave/gully?

Postby RonK » Sun 05 Jun, 2016 1:23 pm

It's all in your mind.

How is Chinamans cave any more racist than Blackmans or Frenchmans Bay or Irishmans Creek for instance.
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Re: Any alternative name for chinamans cave/gully?

Postby jonnosan » Sun 05 Jun, 2016 2:05 pm

Yes I agree it's in my mind.
I would like to find a name my mind (and that of my daughters) is more comfortable with.
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Re: Any alternative name for chinamans cave/gully?

Postby puredingo » Sun 05 Jun, 2016 2:19 pm

Typical PC programming/conditioning taking effect.

I can't see anything racist about that name, let alone offensive? It's more an honorary title than anything.

May as well make up your own name for it if it's an issue for you but I suppose it won't be your last for as Ronk suggest there are plenty examples more to alter if your plan is equality for all.
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Any alternative name for chinamans cave/gully?

Postby GPSGuided » Sun 05 Jun, 2016 3:18 pm

There's factual historical basis for that cave name and can't be denied. As for the term 'Chinaman', I would say it depends on how one says it and the context. Don't see any problem here and it would be a good story for your 10yo. If you are sensitive to the racist use of the term, then here's actually a good opportunity to educate.
Last edited by GPSGuided on Sun 05 Jun, 2016 3:27 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Just move it!
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Re: Any alternative name for chinamans cave/gully?

Postby Mark F » Sun 05 Jun, 2016 3:20 pm

Nothing wrong with calling it chinamans cave. I am sure your 10 yo can accept it especially if you put the name in historical perspective for her.
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Re: Any alternative name for chinamans cave/gully?

Postby jonnosan » Sun 05 Jun, 2016 8:09 pm

Actually I think using the historical context is probably the right approach. It seems like it's original name is actually "*&%$#! up cave", so I will revert to that I think.
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Re: Any alternative name for chinamans cave/gully?

Postby ribuck » Sun 05 Jun, 2016 8:57 pm

I don't find the name offensive, jonnosan, but if you do you can always use the grid reference instead.
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Re: Any alternative name for chinamans cave/gully?

Postby jacko » Sun 05 Jun, 2016 10:42 pm

There were no Chinese involved in the naming.
Jonosan's problem is that it was named after the mythical chinaman named Ah Sup.
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