vincentML
Posts: 9980
Joined: 10/31/2009 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kirata quote:
ORIGINAL: vincentML The argument that words do not embed notions of superiority is some sort of magical attempt to smother history. Did it escape your notice that that wasn't the argument, or are you in the fish business now? K. This was your point: "But the fact that we use different terms for different things has no bearing on the equality of their rights." Your point is utter nonsense. Every label is loaded with historical and emotional meaning. Man, Woman, Black, White, Marriage, Civil Unions are categories that come down to us with social meaning and prejudices that cannot be so easily dismissed. The words we use underlie the actions we take. Words are not neutral. To believe they are is absurd. Worse than absurd. Believing in the historical neutrality of these categories lays the ground work for the bogus assertion of equality. Neutering the terms allows us to say: See all are equal under the Law, so what's all the fuss about? We can talk the talk while not having to walk the walk. Discounting the meaning and impact of terms is the first step on the path to a disingenuous argument.
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