Wednesday, January 17, 2018

The Power Of The Words We Use

A number of apologists now seek to explain DJT's recent remarks regarding immigrants from certain countries of origin as merely an expression of 'tough talk'. Their 'argument' seems to involve some vague reference to the value of plain speaking in an age of political correctness and therefore the president is to be excused (even praised) for what most of the civilized world considers to be an unhealthy combination of vile, undignified, racist, and thoroughly inappropriate hate speech.

Perhaps a positive outcome to this otherwise unfortunate and embarrassing moment of verbal debasement will be to finally put to rest the entire notion of political correctness as a real phenomenon to be defiled and resisted in the name of freedom of expression. The issue has never been a culturally mandated manner of speaking but rather a matter of simple civility, kindness, respect for the feelings of our fellow citizens, and a recognition that the words we use have far ranging implications and consequences as how we regard each other and how we might choose to live together in a future, mutually affirming, national community.

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