Anything that has people making associations is going to be open to bias. Crossword makers are tapping into associations they think their readers are all going to be able to make, so there's two lots of bias at play. Which is not, in itself, a bad thing. But it does require a bit of interrogation on behalf of the crossword maker to make sure they're writing clues that tap into shared knowledge and not into knowledge solely gained through crosswords - that is, if the descriptions are simply recognisable from their use in crosswords, rather than more broadly.

If you don't think crossword puzzles are racist, that means you're racist, too.

The black squares don't get any letters.

I always thought I hated them because I'm dyslexic and terrible at spelling... maybe it is also because I'm not a high class old white lady.

I always thought I hated them because the puzzles seem so non-deterministic. Maybe it is because I'm a gruff working class miner.

Know your audience.

Isn't the dude who makes it on npr every week?

woops

63 Down: Injun shouts

English is racist.

It remains the same because not enough people really pay attention to it and not enough are voicing their opinions to change it.

Old heads will know the outdated descriptions and pay no mind to it unless it is a subject they are very knowledgeable and care about.

I mean, I just learned that eskimo is offensive after reading this article. Did further research and it means "raw eater of meat" in Algonkian languages common in the area.

To be fair, it's much more difficult to eat meat after you've been cooked.

I got upset at a crossword here in sweden that had 'norrman' (norwegian, or litteraly north-man) with four letters. I cycled through what norwegian names might fit. Turns out it was 'same' as in the sami people somewhat commonish in the north.
I was not at all comfortable with that. At least they did not go with the slur word with four letters.

All circumpolar people look same to me.

(Full disclosure...I'm drunk) Seriously? Swedes and Norwegians look similar...Danes look sort of like that but taller-ish...Finns don't ...Icelandic people look totally different as do Greenlanders. Inuit are completely different and Alaskans look like Sarah Palin-ish. The Russians...they have a whole mix of looks that look nothing like the others until you get to western Russia and then they start to look like the Finns and the Poles. Ish.

All Russian people look like Putin.

And in the cold sober light of day... Yes, except for those who look like Stalin...and the Victoria's Secret models.

https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-8636ef2e4427b57fcdfe1539e872a7c9-c

Or, I guess you would like some actual photographs instead of comics:
Finnish:

Norwegian:


Danish:

Swedish:


Simple!

The comic was more informative.

I've fixed it now, for your viewing pleasure.

I stand by my original statement.

Darn!


https://youtu.be/Ilj4ZSLnbTE

Still, it's interesting to learn that Danish trolls are chickens.

That's hilarious! The Finn is holding a plate of mämmi an easter rye porridge that looks highly suspect. But...the Swedes have it too—memma.

It's ok I think. A bit to sweet formy taste.

I do them every day, starting Monday thru Wednesday. Thursday on is too tough, and I just don't want to take the time to get better, nor do I do Sunday.

I do agree with the article. Makes me wonder who does the puzzles....