Newspeak…I mean, Political Correctness
September 27, 2009
Newspeak, the legally enforced national language in George Orwell’s 1984, was designed to simplify the language, censoring and thus extinguishing any thoughts that conflict with the government’s totalitarian rule. If it cannot be said, it cannot be thought, or so the theory goes. Of course, such notions exist entirely in the realm of fiction; there’s no way such an idea can come to fruition in the real world…right?
Call someone a nigger or a fag and see how long it takes to end up with at least a fine for hate speech, then see if your answer is any different. And yes, I said (or wrote) nigger and fag; I’m an adult, I’ll not dumb down my arguments with childish terminology like “The n-word” or “The f-bomb” and the like. I’ll go ahead and get the juvinile love for cursing taken care of right now and get rid of a few more readers by saying the word is nigger (and for the sake of equality cracker, ,spic, wetback, towelhead, chink, kraut, gook, and mutt). The word is fag. It’s shit, piss. fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, tits (and Carlin would have not been funny if it were “the s-word, urine, the f-word…”).
So, since you still seem to be reading, let’s get to the meat of the issue. Why is it that certain words are forbidden in the name of political correctness.? Some cite protecting the children. But then why is it that when discussing this topic amongst adults, we still default to the silly euphemisms rather than actually say the word itself (unless you’re John McCain)? Others cite not offending. Why then are we not offended when someone uses “crap” or “gosh darn,” but as soon as it is “shit” and “god damn,” all bets are off. Others still cite lack of creativity. We don’t discourage the lousy artist. We don’t buy his work, but we let him keep at it. Yet we actively try to prevent the apparently uncreative words from being used.
As far as I can tell, there isn’t actually a logical reason certain terms are not allowed to be used. Social expectation and acceptance is the only reason I can see. However, I believe this to be a very poor reason.
How can words that are taboo be understood if they are not discussed. Keep them taboo only serves to empower the words. Crazy as it may seem, it may require desensitization in order to truly grasp the absurdity of the word. In addition to the empowerment words receive by censorship, those censored may feel repressed and thus attempt to rebel.
Furthermore, the political correctness serves to divide, rather than to promote unity. The reaction garnered by certain words empowers them, thus providing ammunition to those who seek to divide. If I use a slur on somone, and they go ballistic, it simply affirms my superiorty. However, if they do not react with excessive offense, their lack of concern serves to disempower the would-be offender.
If someone wishes to call someone a queer cock-garbling gutter slut, so be it. Better to allow them to convey they are not worth your time than to be deceived in the name of political correctness.
September 27, 2009 at 16:52
For something as universally tabooed (at least for non-blacks) as “nigger,” I can see how a lack of reaction would deaden the word’s power. But for words that have been…reinvented, for lack of a better term, such as “gay” or “retarded” a lack of reaction would probably result in the reinvention perpetuating (although reacting to the word is just as bad in some cases…such as with a certain asshole.)
But in the end, your last statement there is completely and utterly true.
September 27, 2009 at 17:07
With regards to the reinvented words, I am not sure there is a way to prevent their usage. By acknowledging them, we imbue them with power, by not acknowledging them, they become accepted. It becomes a matter of which is the worse outcome.
I find myself looking at the universally unoffensive word “lame.” Originally meaning a limb impaired to the point of being a liability, it now means simply undesirable or “uncool.” I’ve not met a “lame” person who has qualms with it’s modern usage, and while that does not speak for everyone, it seems that particular word made it to being ok. I would argue that the term “retarded” is very near this point.
I cannot help but wonder, if we made little fuss over the use of words like “gay” in the “those shoes are totally gay” sort of sense, if it would become like “lame” wherein no one cares. Or perhaps, it will simply only be used by ignorant assholes, and again it will become easier to point out and deal with ignorant assholes.
<- Still habitually uses the word "retarded," take that as you will.