In the beginning was the Word…
Looking at what words have been coming out Washington of late (pick a topic,) it seems this rather important notion has been shoved aside and replaced by “at the end of the day is any word any way we choose to define it.”
Words matter, which is why they are at the heart of the current cultural conundrum. By being able to re-define one’s way out of a problematic situation is extremely handy, almost as handy as being able to re-define other people as the problem.
If certain words are not allowed to be used, certain ideas will not be able to be thought. When insider jargon is used in common conversation it makes the uninitiated listener feel adrift and stupid and that is the point – if questions can only be asked in a language one does not speak then the answer will, by definition, not be incomprehensible no matter if true or false, accurate or a lie.
Words also change how people think, act, and feel; the very use of certain words can physically change a person.
Say “Youse Guys!” out loud now. Say “Y’all” out loud now. They both refer to a group of people and they are both common usages in different parts of the country and if you are used to saying one the other will make you feel different the moment you say it.
If you regularly use neither, you will note the directness, the nearly-command element of “youse guys.” And you will note the softer edges, almost inviting feel of “y’all.”
Same intent, completely different attitude projected, completely different internal feeling engendered.
Now imagine that same process with other words, words that directly impact the socio-political milieu of the nation and one can see why the modification of language is at the core of current effort to shape – to mis-shape – the culture.
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