Over the years of my existence I have noticed that the use of prejudicial language has evolved from being used casually in everyday conversation- to being regulated vigorously by lawmakers in a response to special interest groups who may be offended by the language itself. The issue as a whole has generated much controversy and debate about (and blurred the lines of) the idea of free speech in America, while some preach tolerance and sensitivity- others (like myself) take more of a stance of promoting reality and freedom. This of course is not a popular belief in our ever-changing society, but it does seem to be more on the practical side in my opinion. I like to think of the expression: “the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know”- this to me is not only a reasonable answer as to why George W. Bush was elected for the Presidency twice, but it is also a good representative term of why we should be able to express our true feelings without penalty. Presently, no one who is in the public’s spotlight has the right to practice free speech, penalties are swift and severe for those who make the attempt; it all goes back to my arguments on Political Correctness, how can we protect ourselves from the wolves, when the wolves are forced to wear sheep’s clothing? I think that we can all agree that we would rather know and be prepared ahead of time rather than face sudden realizations that catch us off guard. Most recently, Kobe Bryant of the world champion Los Angeles Lakers made an insensitive remark to a referee after getting charged with a technical foul, this remark sparked outrage in the gay and lesbian communities- and consequently Kobe was fined $100,000 by the NBA, even though the target of his insensitive statement was not gay. Kobe’s poor choice of words is nothing new, he wasn’t the first to say things like that and he won’t be the last; and this is due to the fact that we’re just not that far along in our national evolutionary process, there are still too many of us from the “old school” lingering around for the new system to be implemented as quickly as some would like. I don’t believe that the media is fully to blame for why we use racial, sexist, or insensitive statements- I believe that that blame is to be placed with one’s self and whom they’ve allowed to influence them. The media didn’t create this problem, but it also hasn’t helped either; prejudicial language is promoted in certain types of books, movies/ television and music, but it’s not like you turn on the news to see your favorite newscaster telling you what to believe or say, as I said before we are responsible for what we allow to influence us. I’m tired of people blaming media sources for our shortcomings, we need to not only take responsibility for our own actions, but we also need to allow others to express themselves freely. Sure prejudicial language can hurt, but that doesn’t mean that we as a people shouldn’t adapt to this by growing thick skin rather than forcing others to store their true feelings away.
As you described, I'm from the "old school" way of thinking about language, which to me means that I will tend to focus on the semantics found within language much more so than I pay attention to the actual words themselves. I do not think that Kobe Bryant's recent angry outburst at that referee was filled with homophobic vitriol or hate filled rhetoric; he was just mad at the ref and used a term in the same way that many men who are not all homophobic or hateful may use it. He could have said “stupid ass” or “sorry ass” for that matter, and his intentions would have been the same. I don’t believe that the ref was gay, so the term “f____n faggot” that Kobe used was not even intended as hate speech or to actually describe him personally. Kobe Bryant was just frustrated and mad at the guy, and a lot of guys just talk like that, especially when we are angry. I think that the technical foul that Bryant received was in order, but the $100k fine was not, and neither was the outrageous amount of scrutiny that Bryant received from the media. Political correctness is important and we should be conscious of what we say, and Kobe did not do that, but society needs to lighten up a little and analyze words in their actual context and meaning more instead of focusing on the words alone.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with you on the media is not fully to blame on being politically correct, lets admit first that they do have an upper hand at reaching many others globally rather than one person stating out loud, the word “N*** word or profanities.” As do celebrities, this is probably why I do not idolize them, then just acknowledging them as making a bigger paycheck then I do (hahaha). Yes, we can all make the decision to turn the television to another channel or off. Although I do not always want to be subjected to other peoples out bursts of self expression in a distasteful manner. I agree people should be able to say what they want though there is a place time and in such away that it does not impede on others civil liberties and freedoms.
ReplyDeleteAlso on the issue of knowing when, “devil is in our midst in sheep’s clothing” what a no brainer this would be to actually know the kind of person being elected into office instead of finding out during their term. Wouldn’t that be great!
While I do not fault the media entirely I think it’s important to recognize that they do not help the issue. Yes, people should have a thick skin though at the same time lets also have some sort of manners. I rather deal with someone polite than some idiot coming up to me cursing me out. At times its how it is delivered than what it is said.
It was in the heat of the moment... Or it was a crime of passion... Or even better: It was done with the best of intentions... All of these explanations still do not justify what occurred. I agree with your point of being able to say what you feel, think, and/ or believe but the truth is, we as a society need to be tactful when engaging with one another. I am almost ninety nine percent sure that Kobe is no homophobic individual but the remark he made was not tactful. Nor was it brilliantly thought out. He screwed up, people news flash superstars are human too, they screw up like you and me and believe it or not they put on their underwear one leg at a time like you and me. Whoa what a concept huh? People need to get over themselves. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is trying so hard to be politically correct all the time they lose who they truly are because it puts such a huge burden on watching what you say. When like you said, in reality it is going to happen. It is in our nature to disagree and argue. It doesn't mean we hate each other we just have our own particular manner of doing/ saying things.