Re: [recoznet2] language and culture

[tim dunlop]

Lance,   I think Ian got it right when he said that you keep shifting the goal-posts of the conversation thus making it almost impossible to get anywhere.  I'd put it a bit more strongly and say that you're simply not making sense.  For example, you complain that to want to change the name of a stadium called 'nigger' is to be "politically correct".  Then you say (below) that "People use words to dominate others plain  and simple."  That is exactly why some people want to change the name; because to use words like 'nigger' is to exercise a form of power, to create an environment where some people are put down and kept down.  The people who want to change the name of the stadium have recognised exactly what you have noticed - that language can be a form of power.  That's why some people object to being called 'sheila' or 'fat' or 'nigger' - its a form of domination, of keeping people down.  You demand respect from people but you get upset when they demand your respect by not being called 'sheila' and simply accuse them of being politically correct'.  So if someone accuses you (or your gender) of something, you accuse them of blaming you for everything.  But if someone else feels you are putting them down by calling them 'sheila' (or whatever), you dismiss them as 'politically correct'.  If you can't see the contradiction in what you're saying, then you're simply not thinking about the issues hard enough.   George Orwell, writing during the second world war, once heard someone referring to Germans as Huns.  His response what that you ultimately do people more harm by calling people Huns (or whatever) than you do by dropping bombs on them.  I know you don't like people quoting books at you, Lance, but it might be worth thinking about what Orwell said.    As to your suggestion that I get a chip on my own shoulder because of my gender - well, it seems to me that you and I have different ideas of masculinity.  Being strong, being masculine to me is about getting rid of the chips on our shoulders (and I've got plenty) not wallowing in them.  Seems to me, Lance, on the basis of how you've replied to this list, that you're not very interested in trying to understand other points of view.  You might think that constantly asserting your own point of view is being strong - I think it's weak.  Strong men admit that they might be wrong on occasions.   Tim       Lance wrote:   Yes Tim,  I and many other have chips on our shoulders asyou put its called exclusion,denigration intimidation and denial of basic rights of respect and selfworth.   People use words to dominate others plain  and simple. Rather than allow for freedom of expression we are told this is  the way we must express ourselves.   I take no offence at what you say Tim. By politicalcorrectedness I am saying those people in dominat positions that dont speak in plain common sense terms that relate to  everyone and not  just  the educated few in societywho understand them. We keep talking aboutculture as thoughitsimportance is above evbreything else except thatmost australians don't have any culture at all thats the issue. Isculture more importantthan real here and now issues suchas what I have previouslyspoken about ,  third world housing, diabetes, men in rural and aborginal communities, families in brokenhomes, 1 in 5 australians with mentalhealthissues, overcharging privatising beaurocrats, need I go on. Yes I have chip on my shoulder, you should to.... regards,Lance.