Quote from Public Opinion by Walter Lippman
This quote is from a book published over one hundred years ago, but it holds no less weight than it did then. “For language is by no means a perfect vehicle of meanings. Words, like currency, are turned over and over again, to evoke one set of images today, another tomorrow.” As someone who has had a love affair with words since I could read, I am not sure that I agree. The statement is thought-provoking nonetheless. It makes me think of the word ‘woman’ and how modern society insists that it has changed. Am I to believe that it ‘changed’ simply because of the feelings of others while conveniently excluding the feelings of biological women? Surely there must be a better way to recognize the unique experiences of one group without marginalizing an existing group. Which makes me think of the word equality. Do some people want equality or do they just want preferential treatment? While we can’t control the way words are interpreted, we can always rely on common sense and intellectual curiosity.Why has the meaning changed? Who benefits from those changes? Why now? Why is a man still a man but a woman can encompass a multitude of feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and physical manifestations? The media counts on us not questioning the manufactured status quo. But it’s important that we maintain the ability to think for ourselves in this ever-changing world.
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