Not too long ago, I was editing a book in which I chose to use the words enslaved people instead of slaves. A person reading over the material asked, “Why not just say ‘slaves’?” I thought it was a good question, though I didn't imagine being asked about it. I know why I chose it. It was not a second thought to me. I also understood why the person asked, and it was completely innocent. But it got me thinking about how some people would actually take issue with the word choice—enslaved people—thinking, "Here we go with all this political correctness."
In her blog post "Slaves vs. Enslaved People—The Subtle, Strong Power of Words,” Andi said, "By changing from the use of a name—slaves—to an adjective—enslaved—we grant these individuals an identity as people and use a term to describe their position in society rather than reducing them to that position. In a small but important way, we carry them forward as people, not the property that they were in that time. This is not a minor thing, this change of language.”
My sentiments exactly.
We often discuss the importance of speaking life and not death, but when it comes to certain issues, we think the hard, unbridled, and cruel “truth” is the way to go. I disagree. Words hurt. Words label. Words have the potential kill dreams, dignity, and hope. Written words. Spoken words. Not only that, but also the marginalizing words we communicate—written or verbal—boomerang on us, flooding our minds with unrealistic expectations of others, and creating limitations on the ways in which we feel we can relate to one another. When we speak or write about others using dehumanizing terms, we can begin to perceive them only within those terms. When we reverse that and speak or write about them with respect, we can see them and treat them as such. Much of this happens subconsciously.
And not that everything we do as people is good and positive. And it may be hard to extend respect and dignity to some people because of how they may behave, but I believe our restrained communication even in those cases says more about us than it does about them.
As a descendant of people who were enslaved, I know very closely how their enslavement was not the sum of who they were. They were not simply only good enough to be thought of in terms of being someone's property. And yet I imagine at different times of the year, when the majority of our population is exposed to the history of my people, people look upon me as a descendent of "slaves" and may feel pity, anger, or impatience toward me because “slaves” are my ancestors. We've rehearsed the negative outcomes of American slavery so much that I, and many others who share my history, get this sense that others may pass the judgment "What good can come from 'slaves'?" And being a person of faith, I reflect how people wondered similar things about Christ: “What good can come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Even He was labeled and stereotyped.
Obviously the answers to both questions of what good or bad things we've done have been meted out under careful observation and analysis almost entirely.
But we've rehearsed certain terms about certain groups of people so much that we believe what we've rehearsed over reality.
I get it. Some of us are getting more and more fed up with being politically correct because it means changing how we've gotten used to speaking about marginalized groups. It also may mean we have to tweak our perceptions of others. And nobody likes tweaking, adjusting, or changing when it doesn't seem to benefit them directly. But the benefits are there. Instead of reinforcing the ideas of someone being so different, so "there" and not "here," and so separate and other, we have an opportunity to adopt more humanizing ways of talking about diverse groups that invites a closeness, sameness, and humanity. In all truth, this may be what some of us are rebelling against--passively, of course. Maybe some of us don't want to be connected.
But this is actually a work of peace, acceptance, and reconciliation, things many of us desperately desire.
All the terms are not well-defined for how we should communicate to others from diverse backgrounds. Our language and our ability to connect with each other is always a work in progress. Still I believe it is a representation of our care for others when we do choose to guard our speech and bridle our tongues when speaking or writing about them or to them.
Why is it hard for some of us to see this as a good thing? Why do some of us celebrate harsh words and cruel communication over carefully measured words? That some prefer mean and unkind communication over being whatever they think is political correctness is mind boggling to me.
"Telling it like it is" and brutal honesty are not enviable traits for caring human beings. No, we should not allow ourselves to say whatever we want, regardless of our freedom to do so. Love, peace, and respect should restrain us from speaking about others or their situation any way we want to.
If what we want to say or write is offensive to a group that has a different cultural history or lifestyle from ours, then why beauregard our words through anyhow? In this case, I am not referring to fundamental disagreements. And this is directed at those who want to reach as wide an audience as possible with what they say or write, and it is for those who want to forge new and real relationships.
We can disagree while still respecting and honoring the humanity in each other. I am talking about kindly not using terms and phrases that are known by the person to whom you are speaking as degrading and dehumanizing. Most of those to whom we write or speak will be from diverse backgrounds. So it is worth taking the time to consider how our message will be received. If we have questions about it, we should ask a friend or person from that group what they think about what we are saying.
Our attention to considerations such as these is important if we claim to have love, peace, and respect for others. (I sort of said this because sometimes I forget, when thinking through things like this, that there are mean people who don't care.)
I'll share some thoughts that, because I try to follow the ways of Christ, lead me to try to speak carefully to and about others. If you are a person of faith, these may be similar to the concepts that help guide your word choices as well.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4).
“There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:8).
“Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it” (1 Peter 3:9).
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.” (1 Peter 3:10).
“In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest on fire. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!” (James 3:5-10).
And so, whether it's labeled “politically correct” or not, if my using enslaved and not slave restores dignity to a people, I will say “enslaved.” It's not too much to ask.
Why do you think the idea of politically correct communication bothers people? Are we being too careful with our words? How so?
How does being politically correct and being respectful and honoring people with your words differ?
What does it mean to refuse to be politically correct? Does that liberate one to speak to or about others without regard or consideration?
Can truth only be spoken in one tone?
What misconceptions might we have about what it takes to communicate honestly and truthfully?