It's funny to think that people used to say "Gee Willerkers!" or "Oh Poodlestick" as a curse when in today's society we just say "Ah shit." Sorry for my cursing, I have just used it for so long that its become part of my vocabulary. I really don't know what taboo language is. In real life, you hear all these crazy things being spoken like "that stupid cracker" or "that ho." So I really suck at saying what is taboo. The only word I would say is Taboo for me is cunt. I will not call another woman that or allow anyone to call me that. Those are fighting words for me. I guess taboo language is racist language on television. If people aren't comedians or very popular Television personalities, they can't get away with saying things like that. Its all a double standard really. Only some people can say certain things and other can't.
I can be very liberal in certain things, like speech, so I wouldn't have a problem with taboo language. Maybe it comes from being called a dumbass from doing stupid things or because I had very "potty-mouth" parents but I use bad language liberally. I remember when I wa sriding Deja Vu for the first time at Six Flags; you would have thought I was a sailor from the amount of bad words coming out of me. I digress. It is because of my upbringing that I believe that we should be allowed to say things uncensored. Most people are use some taboo words all the time. Watch the movie GRAN TORINO; some people speak like tha all the time. I know I have said this a thousand times but I can't express how important this concept is to me. I cannot be calm when my choices are threatened. I have never been given much room to make my own choices before. It wasn't until I was in my late teens that I finally was able to express my choices. My life has been controlled, to an extent, by mother. I love her but being stuck in that situation made me realize how important choices are to me and other people. That's why I can't bear the thought of my choice to hear uncensored media being restricted.
I think that taboo language represents the main population but not all. There are some that take it too far (F#$k is said every other word) or some who are too pious (the Good Golly people). Having taboo language uncensored doesn't mean that every other word is going to be a bad one. It's like trying to say that being able to smoke means that everyone is going to do it, which is untrue. That is just irrational fear. Having uncensored taboo words means that we have he choice to use them but we don't have too. It would be nice to have the option though.
The problem with having taboo words out, though is that many parent's wouldn't explain to their children what certain things meant. The only real way to have taboo words in the media is if the parents were willing to sit down with their kids and explain these concepts to them. Many parents don't and that's why there is no real tabbo words in the media.
I agree that those words are a part of a lot of people’s daily vocabulary. I agree “cunt” is a fighting word and I must admit I have called someone a “cunt”, well I said she was acting like one, but it has the same meaning. I felt bad after, but that woman was the worst kind of person and to this day, I still loathe her. I do not regret saying it, but that is beside the point. You are right that because television is uncensored that not every other word would be a cuss word, the writers know that would bother many of the viewers.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a problem is that many people do not explain to their children the meanings of some of the words and it causes more confusion. I think it also maybe a problem that some of the parents have been so censored that they do not even know the meaning of the words. Other people are so embarrassed to talk to their children about certain things that would rather censor them from it than talk to them about the issue. Now people are being pushed to talk to their children about certain things like sex, drugs, and alcohol because they know children listen even when they do not seem like it and if they are talked to about it at a young age it will be less likely for the child to partake in it.
Your blog represents my exact feeling about censorship. I just do not like the fact that we are being controlled on such a small issue like bad language. The last time I looked at the constitution, freedom of speech was still in there. Why is bad language even controversial? I hold firm to my belief that it is religious influence behind censorship. The constitution also protected us from people imposing their religious beliefs on the country, that is the separation of church and state, which certain politicians have not heard of. People want to make the world a better place, but they do not follow the blueprint put down by forefathers to allow for everyone’s happiness.
ReplyDeletePeople that use their children as the reason for censorship are also annoying to me. Children spend 8 hours at school and 8 hours sleeping. Do not just sit them in front of the Television and let it take care of the other 6. It is a parent’s duty to learn about internet and television block. How can people be so lazy with something the love? It is not up to broadcasting companies and internet sites to watch out for your child, it is the parent’s responsibility.