Why Are We Afraid of Words? (Blog)

These days we have to watch everything we say because we are afraid we might offend someone.  We are told it is wrong for us to say something that someone else might not like to hear, so we are constantly holding our tongues for fear we may say the wrong thing.

What the heck is wrong with us?

Any conversation we have which only includes "non-offensive" language would be bland and meaningless.  We wouldn't say anything interesting, and we'd probably have a hard time understanding exactly what others mean.  Is that really what we want?

There are actual words and terms which are offensive.  For example, blacks tell us that the "n" word is offensive and racist.  Ok.  But blacks use it among each other regularly.  So it's only racist and offensive in specific contexts?  How are we to know what is the appropriate context to use a word?

Another example is in the immigration debate.  We are told that we cannot use the term "illegal immigrant", because people cannot be illegal.  Really?  "Illegal" is just an adjective describing a noun.  A qualifier to provide a better description of something.  We wouldn't think twice about saying somone is a motivated employee if they truly were.  "Motivated" is just an adjective describing the employee.  "Illegal immigrant" is an adjective paired with a noun to provide an accurate description, and it absolutely does.  But that term is offensive to some, so we're not supposed to use it. 

Why the heck not? 

When we refuse to call something by what it is, we give power to those who want to control us.  If let them control the language, they control the debate.  We need people to stop being afraid to say things.  We need to be more open in our discussions so we can see who people truly are.  If you actually are a racist, for example, I want to know that so I can stop associating with you.  If you believe in Marxism, explain why.  If you believe in libertarianism, say so.  Be proud of what you believe and say it.  Don't not say something because you don't want to be called a racist or told you said something offensive. That is a trick, for example, that many on the left try to use against those who criticize the president.  If you say you don't like what the president is doing, you're called a racist, even thought he policies have nothing to do with the color of a man's skin.  Playing the race card is all the left has, and if they can control the language, they can get you to stop criticizing the president, or at least get people to connect criticism of the president with racism.  They win when they control the debate.  It has to end.

Don't be afraid of saying something offensive.  There is no right to not be offended.  Let people know what you think, and if they try to claim you said something offensive, ask them to explain why it is offensive.  Have them point out exactly what you said that was offensive and why.  You'll find they will have difficulty doing so, which will expose the game they are playing.

So speak freely my friends!