My, how times have changed; or have they really? Maybe it’s just because there is so much more media attention these days with, not only the traditional media sources (i.e. newspapers, magazines, radio and television), but now with the vast reaches of the internet where these same media sources have expanded online; as well as the new outlets that previously did not exist (i.e. social media websites, weblogs (blogs), newsgroups, podcasts and RSS feeds, among others).
Social condescension and hate, in general, have always been around to some extent, but it appears to have become ever more prevalent in this expanding age of technology and its increasing ease of access. Most people in the modern world are constantly plugged in and rarely disconnected. We are involuntarily besieged with news, both good and bad – but predominantly bad. This constant barrage of negativity wears on our subconscious and alters our mood. However, this post is not about the growing need for all of us to “unplug” more often, but rather, it’s an unpretentious observation of how certain terms are being grossly misused, overused and distorted.
Demeaning labels are too frequently being hurled at others, typically, by those promoting socially progressive views and political correctness. This is being done without much forethought, as a means to reduce someone else’s status and opinions to a point of irrelevance, or worse, falsely categorizing them into a degenerate group based upon nothing more than one’s perception of their own victimhood; an ill-informed intent to raise the value of their own personal social position or identity. This self-righteous attitude is a quick pathway to counter productivity.
Below is a list of several such misused words, followed by their traditional definition and then what appears to be their modern, socially progressive translation; based on the irresponsibility and regularity of use:
Racism
Traditional
A belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.
Modern
Disagreeing with someone who holds socially progressive views about any aspect of race.
Homophobia
Traditional
Irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals.
Modern
Disagreeing with someone who holds socially progressive views about any aspect of homosexuality.
Bigoted
Traditional
A person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices.
Modern
Disagreeing with someone who holds socially progressive views over any aspect of any social issue.
Xenophobia
Traditional
One unduly fearful of what is foreign and especially of people of foreign origin.
Modern
Disagreeing with someone who holds socially progressive views about any aspect of immigration.
Islamophobia
Traditional
Irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against Islam or people who practice Islam.
Modern
Disagreeing with someone who holds socially progressive views over any aspect of immigration.
Misogynist
Traditional
A person who hates women.
Modern
A man disagreeing with someone who holds socially progressive views over anything to do with women.
Sexist
Traditional
prejudice or discrimination based on sex; especially discrimination against women.
Modern
A man disagreeing with someone who holds socially progressive views over anything to do with women.
Fascist
Traditional
One who exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.
Modern
President Donald Trump and anyone who voted for him.
Nazi
Traditional
A member of a German fascist party controlling Germany from 1933 to 1945 under Adolf Hitler.
Modern
President Donald Trump and anyone who voted for him.
Hater
Traditional
One with an intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury.
Modern
Anyone who disagrees with any aspect of socially progressive points of view.
Religious
Traditional
Relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity.
Modern
Someone who is detached from reality; small-minded.
Also…
Global Warming / Climate Change
Freethinker
Believing in an increase in the earth’s atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution / changes in the Earth’s weather patterns.
Denier
Questioning or disagreeing with any aspect of Global Warming / Climate Change.
Now, in all fairness, there are made up words meant to demean those of the inverse direction as well (i.e. Social Justice Warrior, Libtard, PC (Political Correctness) Police, etc.) that are, regularly, being thrown around in a knee-jerk reaction as a means to end an argument or dispute, which is also quite counterproductive.
So, instead of labeling and hurling insults at one another, maybe we should disconnect from all of the constant and clouding noise around us and actually listen to each other. If we happen to agree, great! If we happen to disagree, so be it. As a general rule, holding an altered opinion to someone else is not all that unusual; it’s quite common. Attempting to force someone into silence or to convert them over to your way of thinking won’t happen by labeling or insulting them.
At least, that’s my opinion.
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