Language is a powerful thing. It can be used to negotiate trades and sales. How could you get a store to match a price of another store if you can't tell them about it? It can be used to entertain and express ideas. How boring would it be to watch television or a movie if nobody ever said a word? It can be used to settle conflict before someone ends up with a bloody nose. How could you say you're sorry when bumping into someone before they decide you're looking for a fight?
Yes, language is indeed a powerful thing that we use every day. Yet some people still can't seem to understand the effect their words might have. Take, for example, Rush Limbaugh. When reacting to Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke's testimony before Congress, he referred to her as a "slut" and a "prostitute." Many have reacted negatively to his comments with advertisers pulling their ads and some stations dropping his show. Their reaction is not in regard to a political stance on the issue being argued, but his offensive language.
The issue of language and sexism went deeper with the internet reality show Cross Assault. The show was organized by video game publisher Capcom to promote a new game coming out by having eSports athletes compete while people could watch. After several days of the event, one team's coach, Aris Bakhtanians, was asked if it'd be possible to play the game without sexual harassment. His response was that you can't. To do so would be to change the culture of gaming which he considered "ethically wrong." When asked about the appropriateness of using "rape" in trash talking, he said "There's nothing unacceptable about that. These are people, we're in America, man, this isn't North Korea. We can say what we want. People get emotional." His only team member, Miranda Pakozki, went on to intentionally be eliminated from the tournament after his comments but was given the prize by the competitor who she lost against.
What's most shocking about both of these stories is their lack of understanding why someone would see their language as inappropriate. They will often hide behind an explanation like "it's just a figure of speech," but they fail to realize the harm it causes. People will deny being racist or sexist even though they repeat jokes and comments they've heard others say. What they don't realize is even though they may not be sexist or racist, using those words and comments advocates sexism and racism for those who are. It's no longer taboo to express those opinions. You're seen as someone they share a bond with, someone who will permit their behavior.
Another excuse is "it's a part of our culture." If a culture has been shown to be harmful to others, shouldn't it be changed? Slavery was once a part of our culture and yet that has changed. For years there has been a concern of a growing "rape" culture where victims are blamed and assailants are forgiven for the attack being "just their nature." It makes light of rape, using the word in reference to beating someone. It takes away from the trauma a victim experiences when it has been used so lightly. It also encourages sexist attitudes in those who can't quite filter the content, like children.
People will also jump to the argument that they're expressing their 1st Amendment Right to free speech. Whenever I hear this I'm reminded of a phrase my high school political science teacher used to say: My rights end at the end of my fist and yours start at the tip of your nose. Our rights are ours so long as they don't infringe on the rights of anyone else. When someone uses sexist language, it creates an uncomfortable atmosphere for others around them. They may not like what they hear, but because of the rhetoric and insults of being "over-sensitive," people won't speak up.
Inappropriate language isn't an issue of people needing to grow "thicker skin." It's about people bullying others, intimidating others in a subversive way. Understanding the meaning behind language and the power it has can be a great step into preventing sexual violence. For more information, contact our Prevention Coordinator at 989-790-7500 ext. 226.
Sources: CNN, Giant Bomb
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