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Nov. 2nd, 2008 12:05 pmI understand the power of words, and more than that I understand the power differential. I know "asshole" doesn't hit the same as "cunt", that "wuss" doesn't sting like "pussy". I know when I'm feeling road ragey it's ten times more satisfying to think of the idiot going 10 in a 35 as "sweetheart" or "grandma" than anything else. I know how often it feels like the only word that fits has been made off-limits by those damn PC Police in my head, how frustrating that is, and how much that leaves me wondering how much one person's internal dialogue, how much one use of "slut" really matters. I know that even as high-and-mighty as I can get about this kind of thing, there are plenty of times I think the better option would be for everyone else to develop a thicker skin rather than for me to modify my habits.
I also know that I am better than that. I know I'm not the kind of person who is so self-centered as to privilege my inconvenience - which gets less and less inconvenient as time goes on - over the very real marginalization of entire groups of people. I know that I am capable of the thought required to understand the principles behind modifying my language, and that I am a good enough person to change my behavior in line with those principles.
I know I can't make anyone change their behavior. I know it's up to any given person what she says, what she thinks, what she does. I know if someone feels strongly enough, all the education, all the intelligence, all the pushing for much-needed social change in the world can't make him do a thing. And in the same way, no one can make me change things I feel strongly about. And I am smart enough to know discussion, disagreement, and any other manifestation of an individual's ideals aren't the same thing as force.
I know how misogynist, racist, homophobic, etc. language reflects on even people I know for a fact to be not misogynist, racist, homophobic, etc. I know "PC" is a buzzword used by assholes so when they complain they won't sound like the sort of person who complains about being asked to respect their fellow human beings - despite the fact that is what they're complaining about. And I know, above all, that I will never allow myself to look like one of those people.
I also know that I am better than that. I know I'm not the kind of person who is so self-centered as to privilege my inconvenience - which gets less and less inconvenient as time goes on - over the very real marginalization of entire groups of people. I know that I am capable of the thought required to understand the principles behind modifying my language, and that I am a good enough person to change my behavior in line with those principles.
I know I can't make anyone change their behavior. I know it's up to any given person what she says, what she thinks, what she does. I know if someone feels strongly enough, all the education, all the intelligence, all the pushing for much-needed social change in the world can't make him do a thing. And in the same way, no one can make me change things I feel strongly about. And I am smart enough to know discussion, disagreement, and any other manifestation of an individual's ideals aren't the same thing as force.
I know how misogynist, racist, homophobic, etc. language reflects on even people I know for a fact to be not misogynist, racist, homophobic, etc. I know "PC" is a buzzword used by assholes so when they complain they won't sound like the sort of person who complains about being asked to respect their fellow human beings - despite the fact that is what they're complaining about. And I know, above all, that I will never allow myself to look like one of those people.
