The Words We Weave
Exploring the Power and Possibilities of Our Shared Language
There’s a curious power play within our words, our phrases, our articulations. And it seems the power of the marginalized — Black and Brown people, LGBTQ+ individuals — is not in defining the language, but in the use of it. Yet, there’s fear. Fear of change, fear of the new vocabulary that could well represent our experiences more truthfully. Why? Why would those who stand to gain from such a transformation be apprehensive about it?
Let’s look at it this way. Language is not some static, immutable entity. It lives, it breathes, it evolves. Its purpose? Communication. To convey meaning from one person to another, from one group to another. It’s not meant to rest within one individual or group but to flow through our collective consciousness, shaping and being shaped by it.
Now, picture this: the marginalized stepping up, taking ownership of the narrative, creating their own lexicon to resonate with their unique experiences. They’re not just using language, they’re molding it, shifting it. But then, the powerful scoff. They stand aside, looking at each other, mocking the powerless over their ‘petty’ linguistic debates. They don’t get it, do they? The power of language. The power in language.
Why should the marginalized be constrained by a language that doesn’t reflect their experiences? No, they shouldn’t. Language should be, needs to be, a shared power. Just as Hegel emphasized the intersubjective nature of consciousness, so should our language be — a reflection of our shared, yet diverse, consciousness. The power isn’t meant to rest in one person’s or group’s hands, but to be distributed, just like language.
Conclusion
Let’s remember that change is not always comfortable, but necessary. That change in language is not a loss, but an enrichment of our collective expression. So, let’s dare to shape our words as we shape our world. And let’s remember that language, in the end, is about understanding one another. Because if we’re not using language to better understand and respect each other’s experiences, then what’s the point?
