 |
| Nick Griffin Is Educated To Degree Level, So Of Course Never Uses Offensive Language. Image via Wikipedia |
My partner bought a few books for the nursery she works at, and was absolutely disgusted by the use of the word "Crazy" in the book. Apparently in the book the dog gave some kind of "Crazy look" to his owner for throwing a stick, and Chloe didn't feel it was an appropriate use of the term for nursery age at all. So she took it back.
It most most likely because of the mental health activism (and issues) I have been through that she is so sensitive to the use of the word. But is it really that bad? Everyone says it!
Well, in my opinion, yes. By using the word Crazy, for example, it devalues the stress and agony a person who has ever been labelled as "crazy" or"mad" may have gone through. It also conjures up more disturbing images of Norwegian psychos murdering hundreds at youth camps.
Worryingly as well there is the continued misuse of words like "schizo" to suggest someone or something that is talking to themselves, or that someone's argument contradicts itself. A misuse because technically this is multiple personality disorder. I'm not trying to be pedantic, but rather that not only does the use of the word devalue and negatively portray the illness, but also shows a complete lack of understanding. Also tourrettes is regularly portrayed as a negative aspect of a person, when even people like politicians are using it to describe a person who won't let the speaker finish.
But will this ever change? Is this not just something that will stay a part of popular culture forever? I don't think so. A relatively short time ago racism was a natural part of day to day life, as well as sexism. And we have made amazing strides in moving to a place where, although it is still there, discrimination against someone of a different race or sex is illegal and seen by the majority as wrong.
Also there are more recent controversies such as with the toy based on a character called "spastic". Although not intended at all offensively, and being a word not used in it's home of the United States, it lead to the company removing from sale all of these toys because of the outcry from British society. And more recently there is the "Mong" scandal by Ricky Gervais, where despite him initially refusing to apologise because he thought it was no an acceptable term removed from it's initial meaning (debatable considering he was pulling the stereotypical face as well), he eventually backtracked as he learnt it was still something incredibly offensive to a large group of people.
But I'd like to be clear I don't think legislation should be the main answer. People should be free to say whatever they want- but also anyone or any organisation is free to challenge that opinion, as in the example with Gervais. Unless a person is inciting violence towards a particular group, I don't see a reason for a person to be arrested based on what they think. It also can lead to an increase of people who feel they are being forced to think a certain way by the "Politically Correct" police. I think seeing public figures apologise for their comments, like Ricky Gervais, Nick Clegg or even David Cameron is more powerful. And the best place to change views is to challenge them publicly, rather than allowing them no platform. Although certainly in institutions like the police and hospitals, the laws or rules they abide by must contain anti-discrimination clauses.
Education is an extremely important part of the answer. But remember, even Nick Griffin has a degree in Law.
Reposted on my technology and environmental political blog at http://greenpirateuk.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment