Using Dehumanizing Terms That Historically Have a Different Meaning - Research Paper Example

Using Dehumanizing terms that historically have a Different Meaning Language is one of the few aspects in life that are not constant. This is to say that the concept of language is always evolving. The words that were used in the 17th and 18th century to mean one thing may not necessarily retain the same meaning in the 21st century. With regard to the English language, this has been associated with the incorporation of other languages into it. Further studies by scholars in the language has also allowed for exploration into multiple uses of certain words. However, the most common reason for this variation is the simple adoption of an average life. Once people start using a word in a certain way the new usage becomes widespread and with time, becomes an official adaptation. Although the word has various meanings, it is usually within a similar concept. The word “queer” is one of the words used for various meanings today. The word has evolved over time. With every passing generation, a new interpretation of the word has risen. The Oxford dictionary states that the word can be used as an adjective to mean strange or odd, as a noun to mean Homosexual, or as a verb meaning spoil or ruin. However, the dictionary puts emphasis on the overall usage of the word as a homosexual reference. There is an observation of the reference in many cultures in the world over a long period. “In recent years, however, gay people have taken the word queer and deliberately used it in place of gay or homosexual, in an attempt, by using the word positively, to deprive it of its negative power (“Oxford University Press,” 1).” In historical reference of the homosexual population, the word was brought forth in a derogatory manner. In the British world, it indicates that someone or something has a peculiar characteristic about them. The 1980s was the point in which the use of the word, in the sense in question, arose. This caused a big stir within the gay and lesbian community. This led to the formation of an action organization in the 1990s at the grass root level in New York with the aim of fighting against the occurrence of Homophobia and preserving the right of gay and lesbian persons (Eaklor, 72). It is then that the group took ownership of the word “queer” as previously stated to transfer its use to a proud sense rather than its previous derogatory meaning. Therefore, the younger generation in the 21st century regards the word as an expression of open-mindedness with regard to same-sex attractions. The mainstream media has also adopted the usage of the term in the same sense. The adoption of the word by the gay and lesbian community acted as a constant reminder of a certain stereotype. The use of the word by the media illustrates an acceptance of the word in a similar sense. Shows such as Queer as Folk and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy have illustrated that the 21st century perception of the word is not similar to that of the last century. It is used to shed light and understanding on the ever-controversial issue of gay and lesbian attractions. However, a number of people among the gay, still find it exceptionally difficult and uncomfortable to use the word without viewing it as “demeaning.” In the early 2000s, the use of the word queer evolved further to not only refer to gay persons, but also people whose sexual orientations differed from the norm. This was inclusive of transsexuals, people battling issues of identity in gender and physical outlooks. In this way, anyone that felt excluded from society’s perspective of what normal was classified in this group. However, as the 1990s had seen to it, the word not used in a demeaning manner, but with a sense of pride and by the “victims” themselves. The intention of the adoption of the word by various groups was to ensure that its use became more about empowerment rather than wounding (Doan, 41). As a result, people began to view the word in a more positive light rather than in a negative one. While the 1990s had more people using the word in a derogatory reference, the 2000s had more people use it for empowerment. The transsexual community gained recognition during this era. In the 20th century, people did not acknowledge the transsexual existence as an actual occurrence in the lives of average people. It was classified as being a condition of confusion where one was not aware of the actual functions and expectations within their gender. Religious activists went as far as classifying transsexual orientation and homosexuality as among the dire evils of the modern world such as bestiality and incest. As organizations such as Queer Nation arose to fight against this depiction, the conviction that had been witnessed against gay people as well as transsexuals subsided. Those that were against the two orientations cited the acceptance of homosexuality as the reason for the onset and the existence of transsexuals. In recent years, the feminist community has taken offense to the word queer. This is because in a different meaning, it refers to a lesbian orientation distastefully. Thus, feminists have interpreted yet another attempt to silence the voice and reason of feminism by those that speak against feminist empowerment. Feminist scholars assert that if one claims to be a feminist, but uses the word queer in reference to demean other orientations, then they are undermining feminism as well and are not in true form, feminists. The feminist movements are of the opinion that while the word describes homosexual attractions, it is also describes lesbian attractions and undermine female opinion. In this regard, the feminism does not refer to the positive adoption, but speaks against the negative derogatory use of the word. The disregard of the derogatory use of the term queer brought forth the concept of The Queer Theory. Those in support of the Queer Theory indicate that there is no sense of judgment for orientations that are not within an individual’s control. Furthermore, they state that there is no accurate reference from which it can be derived that indeed heterosexuality is the normal orientation. Rather than degrade those that are not of similar orientations, they are of the opinion that these differences should be allowed to exist as they illustrate the maturity of society (Richardson, 142). The term in question has a lot of influence on the social element of life. One can feel appreciated or demeaned simply by the use of the word. The use of the word by organizations such as Queer Nation and Outright Vermont has allowed those of controversial sexual orientations to feel appreciated. This is because the reclaim of the word is for the purpose of their empowerment. It is because of these kinds of action that the gay, lesbian, and transsexual communities have become more opinionated and are not afraid to voice their opinion. These entire opinions center on a positive use of the word queer. It has even come to be interpreted that rather than being weird, queer people are special. This illustrates the power that the word has, in making someone less accustomed to the feeling of belonging and appreciation. The other use of the word could be to demean someone when used in a derogatory perspective. This goes on to make someone feel that for certain reasons, they do not fall into the category of “normal humanity.” This can be damaging in the life of a person as it sees to it that they feel left out, underappreciated and/or abnormal. The interesting fact is that whilst those that use the word in a demeaning fashion cite the behavior of the subject as “not human,” degrading another human being on any basis, is far from human. If the word delves deep into a person, they can go as far as developing suicidal thoughts or becoming depressed. The reckless usage of the word many not mean much to the user, but could affect the victim in irreparable measure (Hughes, 112). The word in question should be eliminated because; firstly, it is reminiscent of a time of depravity. It indicates an era when society was vile and unwelcoming. It refers to the days when those that were different had no place in society. This is not an insinuation that the 21st century has been the most welcoming, but it is much better off in comparison to the past centuries. A large number of people that lived through the outright persecution as well as those close to them associate the word with inhumane treatment (Morgan, 69). This therefore creates division. It takes society back to ancient days. Although it is important to appreciate, dwelling on past injustices stalls development. The constant use of the word stalls social development as a whole. As stated previously language is not constant; it is dynamic. At any time or point, language could change the reference it has now to another reference. Should the word queer remain in use, no one knows what form it could evolve. While in current times, the word is being used for empowerment, the future could be bleak. If this is the case, the word could evolve into further derogatory nature and be used for even more vile reference. As the word has already been exhausted, it should be abolished for there to be a fresh start. Allowing the word, to be in continued use could be opening the world up to further social exclusion and division. If the above reasons were anything to go by, then the world’s dictionary would be much better off exclusive of the term queer. However, there is sufficient reason for the continued use of the term. One such reason is that it is a symbol of history. The world has come from a time that was not so welcoming to differences and variety. As time has progressed, people have become more receptive and open-minded; this is something to be proud of (Morland, 92). Consequently, the word should stay in place – to illustrate to future generations that humanity has evolved. This will allow future generations to appreciate the times they live in. If they find themselves in a world where they coexist and accept each other’s differences, they will not take it for granted. This is because the evolution of the word queer will remind them that the world was not always as welcoming. The evolution of the word queer is also a lesson on its own. Its existence teaches the current and future generations of the disunity that results from disregarding each other’s perspective. This is a lesson that ought to be preserved. In this way, they will learn from the mistakes of those that came before them. If the word is abolished or excluded from recognition, the history that comes with it would also be abolished. This would be ignoring all the progress that the world has made over time. It is of no use for progress to occur, only for the symbol that represents said progress to be abolished. There needs to be the retention of the word Queer to illustrate that the world has come a long and dark way and has an even longer and brighter way to go. Works Cited Doan, L.L. Disturbing practices : history, sexuality, and womens experience of modern war. Chicago; London: The University of Chicago Press, 2013. Eaklor, V.L. Queer America : a GLBT history of the 20th century . Westport: Greenwood Press, 2008. Hughes, G. An encyclopedia of swearing : the social history of oaths, profanity, foul language, and ethnic slurs in the English-speaking world. Armonk: M.E Sharpe, 2006. Morgan, S. The feminist history reader . New York: Routledge, 2006. Morland, I.,Willox,A. Queer theory . New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. Oxford University Press. "English." Oxford Dictionaries Website. 3 February 2015 . Richardson, D.,Mclaughlin,J.,Casey,M.E. Intersections between feminist and queer theory by Diane Richardson . Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012. Read More