The 70s were full of bell-bottoms, disco, and a whole lot of phrases that seemed perfectly fine at the time—but would seriously not fly today. Back then, these sayings were considered progressive, even enlightened. Fast-forward a few decades, and the “woke” generation has a lot to say about why they’re outdated, problematic, or just plain awkward. Here are 13 phrases from the 70s that have been officially canceled by today’s more self-aware standards.
1. “Boys Will Be Boys”
Ah, the ultimate excuse for everything from roughhousing to straight-up bad behavior. In the 70s, this phrase was the go-to for shrugging off anything boys did. Today, people just aren’t buying it. Instead of letting gender excuse poor choices, the woke crowd is all about accountability. It turns out, boys can learn boundaries just as well as anyone else—imagine that.
2. “I Don’t See Color”
Back then, saying this was considered the height of inclusivity. It meant you were above racism, right? Well, not so much. Today, this phrase gets side-eyed for ignoring the realities of race and the lived experiences that come with it. The woke perspective says: Acknowledge color, understand its impact, and maybe don’t pretend everyone has the same journey.
3. “She’s a Career Woman”
In the 70s, this was practically a compliment. A woman with a job was seen as trailblazing. Except, why weren’t men ever called “career men”? These days, it’s obvious how condescending this phrase was, as if women needed a special category for doing what men have done forever. The woke mindset says let’s just call her…a person with a job.
4. “That’s So Exotic”
Whether talking about a person, food, or a culture, calling something “exotic” was meant as admiration. But now? It feels like a way of saying, “You’re different, and not in a relatable way.” The woke generation prefers celebrating diversity without making people feel like they’re on display at an international zoo. It’s appreciation, not alienation.
5. “It’s a Free Country”
Anytime someone in the 70s didn’t want to deal with criticism, they’d drop this line like a mic. But today, it’s viewed as a cop-out that ignores the bigger picture. Sure, freedom is great, but the woke crowd points out that actions still have consequences—especially when those actions affect other people. Freedom doesn’t mean free-for-all.
6. “Lighten Up”
If someone called out a problematic joke or behavior in the 70s, they’d probably hear, “Lighten up” as a response. Fast-forward to now, and this phrase is seen as a way to dismiss valid concerns. The woke generation would argue that maybe some things don’t need lightening up—they need addressing. Fun doesn’t have to come at someone else’s expense.
7. “The Melting Pot”
This phrase was once the ultimate compliment to America’s diversity. Everyone blends together into one harmonious whole, right? Except, blending often meant erasing unique identities. The woke generation has swapped out the melting pot for terms like “mosaic” or “salad bowl,” which celebrate differences instead of squishing them into one flavorless stew.
8. “He’s All Boy”
Parents in the 70s loved to say this about their sons as they ran around causing chaos. But now, it’s clear this phrase just reinforced outdated gender stereotypes. Boys don’t have to be loud or rough to be “all boy,” and the woke perspective encourages letting kids be themselves without the labels—or the pressure to fit them.
9. “You’re So Articulate”
It sounds like a compliment, right? But in the 70s, this was often said to people of color in a way that revealed more about the speaker’s biases than the recipient’s eloquence. Today, the woke lens has pointed out how this phrase can come off as condescending, implying that someone is “surprisingly” well-spoken. Compliments should feel good—not backhanded.
10. “Let’s Agree to Disagree”
In the 70s, this was the ultimate peacekeeper statement that could diffuse a tense chat. But today, it’s often seen as a way to avoid tough conversations. The woke crowd values diving into uncomfortable topics and working toward understanding, even if it’s messy. Agreeing to disagree is fine for pizza toppings—not so much for bigger societal issues.
11. “You People”
Yikes. This phrase was often used with no malice intended, but it’s easy to see why it didn’t age well. Whether referring to a group’s race, gender, or background, “you people” has a way of creating distance and othering. The woke generation emphasizes inclusive language that doesn’t divide or alienate—it’s not that hard.
12. “Boys Don’t Cry”
In the 70s, this was less a phrase and more a mantra. It was supposed to build toughness, but all it really did was teach emotional suppression. Today, the woke generation is here to say that crying isn’t just okay—it’s healthy. Emotions don’t have a gender, and bottling them up doesn’t make anyone stronger.
13. “America: Love It or Leave It”
This phrase was a favorite of the 70s, often aimed at anyone who dared to criticize the U.S. But the woke generation sees critique as a form of love, not betrayal. Wanting to improve something doesn’t mean you don’t care—it means you care enough to want it to be better. Loving your country doesn’t mean ignoring its flaws.
This content was created by a real person with the assistance of AI.
