I don't think it's nearly as important as some, but I do think it's part and parcel of gaining acceptance within society. Changes in language are both a symptom and a cause of shifting attitudes, and shifting attitudes have material implications, both political and personal. I also happen to think that reducing the degree to which some m…
I don't think it's nearly as important as some, but I do think it's part and parcel of gaining acceptance within society. Changes in language are both a symptom and a cause of shifting attitudes, and shifting attitudes have material implications, both political and personal. I also happen to think that reducing the degree to which some members of society feel like irredeemable pieces of garbage because of factors outside of their control is a worthy political goal itself.
The distraction argument proves too much--isn't this whole discussion a distraction from solving our truly existential problems? Neither of us is having this conversation because we think it is the most socially worthy use of our time.
We probably agree on what ought to be prioritized, but I don't think these language discussions should be verboten.
(Or as roundly mocked for the sake of pseudoedgelordy counter-signaling, "guys I said said lame I guess I'm ableist now, haha" like wow, very clever and brave. But I digress.)
I don't think it's nearly as important as some, but I do think it's part and parcel of gaining acceptance within society. Changes in language are both a symptom and a cause of shifting attitudes, and shifting attitudes have material implications, both political and personal. I also happen to think that reducing the degree to which some members of society feel like irredeemable pieces of garbage because of factors outside of their control is a worthy political goal itself.
The distraction argument proves too much--isn't this whole discussion a distraction from solving our truly existential problems? Neither of us is having this conversation because we think it is the most socially worthy use of our time.
We probably agree on what ought to be prioritized, but I don't think these language discussions should be verboten.
(Or as roundly mocked for the sake of pseudoedgelordy counter-signaling, "guys I said said lame I guess I'm ableist now, haha" like wow, very clever and brave. But I digress.)