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In reply to the discussion: "Woke", "cancel culture", and the meaning of words [View all]Silent3
(15,147 posts)32. The thing is I think you do understand what he meant...
...and you're making a bigger point over how he said than what he meant.
Most words and phrases have objective meanings.
Some words have fairly objective meanings. Many words are squishy and slippery and incredibly contextual. If you're in the realm of politics, it's a lot more of the latter than the former.
Actually, many people have, in a sense, been called racists on this board. Not as a direct accusation, but by many who espouse the view that everyone is at least a bit racist to some degree.
Take the word "liar". The objective definition? "One who lies". By the most objective definition, everyone human being capable of communication has told at least one lie in their lifetime. Many very nice people tell a few lies per day.
But what happens when you accuse someone of being a liar? Context is utterly, absolutely important to what the word means. "Liar" becomes "one who is lying about the subject at hand". "Liar" becomes "one who lies frequently". "Liar" becomes "one who is best characterized by their propensity to tell lies".
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Whether you like it or not, you're doing exactly what Carville is calling a problem.
Silent3
Apr 2021
#10
Liberal was a fine word and description of a political ideology for years but then it was hijacked
Demsrule86
Apr 2021
#36
Yeah, I am sorry...I could make the excuse that my house is a disaster as we prepare to sell it
Demsrule86
Apr 2021
#74
Only Black and Brown people and our allies are expected to explain ourselves and adjust our words
StarfishSaver
Apr 2021
#9
Nope. The burden of proof is not on the people who will be most harmed by the misunderstanding.
Baitball Blogger
Apr 2021
#16
Nobody has to explain themselves...everyone can have their own opinion. I agree with
Demsrule86
Apr 2021
#39
Actually, Obama was very vocal about racism being directed at him going during the
Baitball Blogger
Apr 2021
#53
Well, you sure set the record straight with that pithy and well researched response
StarfishSaver
Apr 2021
#59
I know definitely that he was talking about racism around that second election because
Baitball Blogger
Apr 2021
#60
Anecdotes about the few times Obama mentioned race in no way obviates my point
StarfishSaver
Apr 2021
#62
You have spent the last several posts pulling things out of thin air I did not aay
StarfishSaver
Apr 2021
#67
This is revisionist history. When Clinton ran for president, we had 12 years of GOP presidents.
Demsrule86
Apr 2021
#38
I listened to a video with a crazy women afraid that vaccinated people were a danger...
Silent3
Apr 2021
#35
A big part of the problem is that too many people who have never experienced racism
StarfishSaver
Apr 2021
#17
It was never papered over for me. It became blatantly obvious during the 2016 primaries...
Blasphemer
Apr 2021
#40
What is your evidence that Carville was "ignoring whiteness as a social structure"?
Silent3
Apr 2021
#41
+1, He used their framing cause he never heard it being used by black folk. He needs some black fri
uponit7771
Apr 2021
#76