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In 2020, I was hired to advise a national news organization on how to de-bias their language.
One point I made repeatedly was that they needed to avoid what I call "softening language." This is when you use a much gentler word, and its gentler semantic framing and entailments.
One point I made repeatedly was that they needed to avoid what I call "softening language." This is when you use a much gentler word, and its gentler semantic framing and entailments.
My examples were focused on reporting on sexual assaults and crimes, e.g., Ghislaine Maxwell, who was often described as "sourcing" girls who were "abused." This is softening language, and does not frame her crimes accurately the way "sex trafficking" and "raped" does.
They didn't do a great job with uptake, which wasn't surprising. Part of our social contract is upholding the status quo, and making sure that people with power aren't made too uncomfortable.
I was disappointed. But I expected it.
I was disappointed. But I expected it.
I also highlighted the double standard for reporting on protests and riots, and the unwillingness to call acts of terrorism "terrorism" when the terrorists were white.
Again, no real uptake. Maybe some seeds were planted.
Again, no real uptake. Maybe some seeds were planted.
So here we are today, and there is a lot of "softening language" being used to describe this unprecedented violent attack on the American peaceful transfer of power.
There are some excellent visual comparisons of the double standard of when local and riot police and military force are used against American protestors.
For example: https://twitter.com/michaelharriot/status/1346919643861176324
For example: https://twitter.com/michaelharriot/status/1346919643861176324
Double standards and softening language can be more subtle.
So please, let's keep an eye out and hold people accountable.
Use the appropriate terminology. It doesn't have to be exaggerated to have a real impact. Just technically accurate.
So please, let's keep an eye out and hold people accountable.
Use the appropriate terminology. It doesn't have to be exaggerated to have a real impact. Just technically accurate.
Not "protests" and "protestors."
But "riots" and "terrorists" and "domestic terrorism."
Not "Trump supporters."
But "extremists incited to violence by Trump."
Etc.
Please feel free to add other examples.
I was just trying to get some work done today. [Sigh.]
#coup
But "riots" and "terrorists" and "domestic terrorism."
Not "Trump supporters."
But "extremists incited to violence by Trump."
Etc.
Please feel free to add other examples.
I was just trying to get some work done today. [Sigh.]
#coup
Coda:
It used to be innocuous and non-racialized to say "Call a spade a spade."
But not for a while now. So, better to avoid it when we're talking about avoiding "softening language." https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/09/19/224183763/is-it-racist-to-call-a-spade-a-spade
It used to be innocuous and non-racialized to say "Call a spade a spade."
But not for a while now. So, better to avoid it when we're talking about avoiding "softening language." https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/09/19/224183763/is-it-racist-to-call-a-spade-a-spade
