WARNING: offensive/derogatory terms used in the context of discussion these terms.
In today's modern society, and especially in the world of SJW and social activism, there is a lot of talk of "tone policing" and “calling out”. Nowadays, terms like nigger, retard and faggot are simply not acceptable. So unacceptable, in fact that people are attacked for using them (outside contexts where terms are reclaimed by their communities, of course).
But what are these terms at their cores? More often than not, they came from an earlier time period when then WERE acceptable. They are words used to describe individuals or groups that are different. The words themselves often have fairly innocent roots: "nigger" is said to be a Southern USA bastardization of "negro" which is a simple descriptive, being the Spanish/Portuguese for "black." But the context of its use during slavery made it into an insulting and demeaning phrase. "Retard" is one in a long list of official medical terms for those with developmental delays. Look at the euphemism treadmill that this descriptive has been running for centuries: cretin, idiot, imbecile, feeble-minded, moron, mongoloid, retarded. Each of them were accepted medical terms in decades past, but were eventually perceived as insults that had to be changed.
In both these cases, as with many others, the insult came from the intent behind being used when they were used: to marginalize and ostracise. Those who are afraid or uncomfortable with people who are different will always find a way to express it verbally. So, in that light, does the language itself even matter? No sooner is a term updated, but it's abused, as with "retard." Why bother banning a word when the culture of marginalization will soon create another to take its place?
So rather than forcibly stopping people from using insulting words like fag, slut, or cracker, would it not be better to address the attitudes behind the desire to use derogatory terms?
I think a good example is looking at racism towards those of African descent in the USA. Once upon a time, terms like coon, ape and pickaninny (and many, many others) were common usage. However, with the introduction and development of the civil rights movement, today those terms are pretty rare outside of a historical context. That's not to say that black-focused racism doesn't exist still, but due to the gradual and hard-won incorporation of civil rights into mainstream society, there is not as much need for racist insults. I think a similar development is happening for the LGBT community as terms like homo, sodomite, dyke and faggot are on the decline in mainstream society (except in religious/ultra-conservative communities, unfortunately, but that's another story). Again, discrimination still exists, but gender and sexual diversity has become much more accepted in modern society than it was in the past.
No matter how much we call out people who use these terms, as long as the attitudes remain, they will always use and create new ones to express their negative perspectives.
Which brings me to another important observation. When you try to muzzle someone's right to free speech of accuse them of wrongdoing, they usually get angry and/or defensive. By calling out "That's racist!" or "You're homophobe because you said that!" you're automatically creating conflict. And as Jedi we shouldn't we be solving conflict rather than creating it?
So before you “call out” someone or accuse them of racism/homophobia/sexism, why not think about why they’re speaking that way and what you can do to offer them a more harmonious perspective. Pointing fingers and restricting speech may seem to be effective as short-term solutions, but they won’t bring about long-term change. Real change comes from compassion, not condemnation.
By Leah Chisholm
