Language is powerful. Words allow us to work/connect, write stories, convey history, educate, become educated and much more. Words also have the ability to create prejudice, disrespect, distance, and hatred between us and others. Cultures seems to have a way of transforming the original meaning of words into phrases conveying very different messages than what was originally intended. Sometimes these phrases can be used intentionally to disrespect or degrade another. Often times, however, these phrases can be used out of ignorance, perhaps unintentionally hurting another. Even those who use words as a way to poke fun or "mess around" with another can attempt to soften the statement by following the phrase with "I'm kidding!" However, what is done is done. There are many phrases or words that we have misconstrued overtime and are commonly used. I often hear students saying things like "That is so gay" or "That is retarded." Students say these phrases without even considering the literal meaning and how incredibly hurtful they can be.
An article on the Chronicle of Higher Education discussed the use of "anti-gay" language often used in the "ultra-macho" world of professional football. The article commends a NFL fan website moderator for speaking out against hurtful attacks. Unfortunately, these personal attacks happen in many other realms as well.
In 2007, Don Imus made racially charged comments about the Rutgers Women's basketball team. In response to this incident, Maya Angelou spoke about the vulgarity that Don Imus, and others, use. She described feeling sorry for Mr. Imus, herself, her grandchild, and the world and also sent a powerful message that incidences like these give us all a chance to talk and get to know one another as humans. In another video also highlighting Maya Angelou eloquently describing the power of words. She says: "You must be careful about the words you use...They are things and they are a part of you."
When thinking of our positions within each of our institutions, we have influence on co-workers and students whether we know it or not. We must analyze how we are using words. How does your use of words impact, inspire, hurt or degrade others? This topic is extremely important in higher education for numerous reasons. As practitioners in higher education we must be aware of what we say and the meaning our words hold as we are not only models for our students, we are also educating our students. The first step each of us can take is to reduce then eliminate the ignorant phrases we use. The second, and possibly the most powerful step we can take is to educate those around us. It takes courage to speak up and go against the grain and stop others when we witness them saying hurtful phrases, unintentionally or not. I believe most people do not intend to hurt others, rather they do not step back and fully consider what their words actually mean and how hurtful they can be to another. Because most are generally caring, I believe by continuously deconstructing such messages with students will lead to a change in the way they speak. Do students really understand that when they say "That is so gay" that they are placing a value or prejudice on homosexual people? We can help raise this awareness.
We are, attempt to, or want to be inclusive of all individuals but how do the words we use match our mission?
Great post Lisa, and very timely with the recent anti-bullying legislation. Language and its use seems to be an almost daily topic for me. A lot of my work involves trying to educate the campus community to not use homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic terminology.
ReplyDeleteA recent public service campaign aimed to try to get our youth to stop saying "That's so gay" as a way of describing something that they thought was stupid or inane. Wanda Sykes did a brilliant spot for this campaign (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWS0GVOQPs0).
My office also includes a student lounge, which frequently has 15-20 students hanging out between classes. Because we are a safe space on campus for all, we've taken to policing some of the language in the office, especially the use of the word "bitch", particularly as used by gay men. Sometimes I wonder if we're going too far by monitoring speech in the office, but overall, I believe that it helps to create a space that honors dignity and respect for all.
Yes, I hate it when people say, “that’s so gay.” Usually, the context they’re using the word gay does not even mean what they are referring to, so to me, it reflects their maturity level. I particularly don’t like the term minorities when referring to a group other than the majority. As I have become more educated, I now use the phrase people of color instead of minorities because the latter imposes less than. I think it is important to place people on the same level. A professor that I greatly admire presented this concept to me and I think it makes a lot of sense. Moreover, I have noticed that the term people of color is used more than the term minorities in current scholarly articles. At UNC, there have been forums called “The Power of Words,” that discuss language that is offensive to others. For example, there was a forum on the “N” word, and another was about the term “illegal alien.” I learned at the forum that there is currently a movement to do away with the “I” and alien in the term illegal alien since it is dehumanizing to people. I concur with you, in our positions at any institution of higher education we must speak in a manner that should build up students rather than contribute to a dialogue that is pejorative.
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