A newly released app allows users to search for discriminatory roadway names, helping communities grasp the ubiquity of inequalities embedded in everyday spaces and the harm they cause.
While that is a great approach when the words have no weight, ignoring systemic discrimination that perpetuates actual harm is counterproductive.
When a cop calls all black people thugs and criminals, it is something that shouldn’t be ignored. When a football team is named the Washington [slurs] it perpetuates racism against native americans in a way that has actual impacts on people. When schools are named after traitors it shows society is fine with elevating their views and ideals.
The importance of words depends on context and blowing off systemic racism permanently installed in public view because they are ‘just words’ ignores the real harm that those words have. Street signs with derogatory slurs against native people who were the victims of genocide is the equivalent of having slurs used hy the nazis on street signs.
There are words and then there are words backed by the state’s monopoly on violence. It’s harder to move forward when these old ugly names keep things rooted in the past.
I like to take the sticks and stones approach.
It’s bullshit, though - words do hurt.
Probably why I’ve hardened myself to the point where I’m basically emotionless. Society does not ever play nice.
While that is a great approach when the words have no weight, ignoring systemic discrimination that perpetuates actual harm is counterproductive.
When a cop calls all black people thugs and criminals, it is something that shouldn’t be ignored. When a football team is named the Washington [slurs] it perpetuates racism against native americans in a way that has actual impacts on people. When schools are named after traitors it shows society is fine with elevating their views and ideals.
The importance of words depends on context and blowing off systemic racism permanently installed in public view because they are ‘just words’ ignores the real harm that those words have. Street signs with derogatory slurs against native people who were the victims of genocide is the equivalent of having slurs used hy the nazis on street signs.
There are words and then there are words backed by the state’s monopoly on violence. It’s harder to move forward when these old ugly names keep things rooted in the past.
Yeh, I can acknowledge the difference tbh
“sticks and stones may break my bones, but NAH NAH NAH NAH, I CAN’T HEAR YOU”
Ignoring racist tradition does nothing to improve society.
I have no trust in ‘society’. I’ve been burned countless times. I’ve already given up.