Cryptoquote Spoiler – 06/28/12

English: Conservative Party poster from 1909, in which socialism represented by the beast, is choking Britannia.How the Tories saw the socialist menace in 1909. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”   —   Henry Ford

English: Henry Ford on the cover of Time Magazine, January 14, 1935. Copyrights on this issue were not renewed. See wikisource:Time (magazine). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(Sounds like there was a strong socialist side to Mr. Ford!  The words “socialist” and “socialism” have been heavily demonized by the conservative right, particularly over the last four years.  They’ve been bashing/demonizing the word “liberal” for a much longer time.  But, now that there is a so-called “liberal” in the White House, the right feels right at home dropping the “S” bomb at every proverbial drop of a hat.  Language is funny that way.  Connotations change.  Back in the ’60s and ’70s, with all the – still then – young Baby Boomers, and the prevalent “Hippy” mentality/movement, the word “conservative” was the word to use to insult someone.  It meant – implied actually – that you were a fuddy-duddy, reactionary, or a crank, who was incapable of change.  And, in terms of racial equality, it also implied you were likely a racist.  For the gender and sexual preference issues, it implied you were likely a “male chauvinist” – maybe even a misogynist – and a homophobe.  In those days, the wise republicans avoided that word like the plague!  Today, because of the resurgence of the right, the words “conservative” and “conservatism” are now worn as badges of honor.  We’re supposed to associate these words with responsibility, tradition and virtue.  The tables have been turned.  So, as times change language implications change.  Thinking people today don’t fear the “L” word and the “S” bomb, anymore than thinking people back then did the “C” word.  So don’t sweat it, folks.  It’s not the first time around for the demonization of socialism.  This kind of societal linguistic hysteria is impermanent.  Be well, do good . . . and think things through, friends.)   —   YUR

Related articles

• Spirituality and the Politics of Language (subjunctivemorality.wordpress.com)
• The Old Switcheroo (prideinmadness.wordpress.com)
• A Language for Life (anushkag.wordpress.com)
• Language used as a tool of oppression (morningstaronline.co.uk)