Is there Danger in the Words We Use?

Blog Post #1 – Is there danger in the words we use?

When looking at the society in the United States it is important to ask “is there danger in the words we use?” Modern media and society has become saturated with language, catch phrases, and emotionally numbing terms used to describe ethnic groups, beliefs, and lifestyles that dehumanizes others. Karen Stollznow of The University of California defines dehumanization as “…a cognitive process with a multi-faceted social production (i.e., a ‘way of thinking’ that an result in linguistic, semiotic and physical manifestations, e.g., violence or verbal abuse).”  Historically, it’s been demonstrated that such dehumanizing language is truly dangerous for society and contributes to unethical acts such as genocide. 

There is danger in the words we use, but how should a society which embraces freedom deal with such language?  Is this language protected by the First Amendment? Is the media protected when it uses language that further dehumanizes groups within society?  To examine this there must be an understanding of what freedom of speech is, both socially and legally, within the United States. 

With a basic understanding the topic of freedom of speech, and that the right is not absolute, it becomes possible to examine dehumanizing speech in media and in public.  Is freedom of the press absolute?  Or are there limits to the freedom of the press?

In both cases, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, citizens of the United States need to understand that these freedoms are not absolute.  It is not allowable to yell “fire” in a public building endangering others and it is not possible to publish lies (through various forms from print to modern media) without potential damaging recourse.  How do these limitations apply to hate speech and dehumanization of groups in the media?  For the advancement of the society these are important questions to ask, research, and determine. 

Words: 307 

Works Cited:

Crashcourse. "Freedom of Speech: Crash Course Government and Politics #25." YouTube. YouTube, 2015. Web. 13 July 2016.  

Crashcourse. "Freedom of the Press: Crash Course Government and Politics #26." YouTube. YouTube, 2015. Web. 13 July 2016. 

Stollznow, Karen. "Dehumanisation in language and thought." Journal of Language and Politics, vol. 7, John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2008..doi:10.1075/jlp.7.2.o1sto.