Writing Right: The New Vocabulary
GUEST WORDS - Donald Trump’s second term has spawned so much activity that it’s getting hard to keep up.
For example, the sweeping Executive Order which seeks to purge any “woke” language from the federal vocabulary is going to have an enormous impact, but hardly anybody has the time, never mind the energy, to figure it out.
Employing the correct language dictated by the new guidelines the President’s order creates can be daunting, but maybe some examples can help.
f you wish to advocate for social justice, you’ll need to find another way.
If you’re hoping to combat discrimination or increase diversity by eliminating bias, you’ll need a fresh approach.
Any effort to speak on behalf of diverse communities, key groups or an indigenous community who may be suffering from inequality is doomed to failure.
Concerned about victims of racism among key groups? Forget about it.
Irate that LGBTQ citizens are being marginalized by discrimination? Find another way to say so.
Institutional injustice doesn’t exist now.
It is no longer possible to be a prostitute who is biologically female.
Sorry, but you are no longer allowed to use activism to promote diversity.
The use of pronouns, regardless of your socioeconomic status, isn’t acceptable.
Finally, be advised that Enola Gay doesn’t fly anymore.
You can always ignore all these barriers to effective communication, of course, but be aware that doing so probably guarantees that your point of view will be excluded.
(David M. Hamlin is a writer who strives to make his work accessible and entertaining. He can be reached at [email protected].)
