Panel 3 is patently ridiculous. That meaning is inferred from by the racism of the hearers rather than that meaning implied by the original over-generalized statement.
Words are extremely powerful. Very often they imply things that we don’t mean to imply. Likewise, our conditioning and environment often lead us to make inferences out of habit rather than conscious reasoning. Microaggressions root themselves in the simple fact that no one is aware of everyone’s point of view. Whether such blindness is maintained willfully or not is a different matter. However, the more we understand, the less we will engage in unintended discrimination.
That being said, we shouldn’t all have to spend inordinate amounts of time carefully choosing our words to be politically correct. You might call that “macroplacation,” an annoyingly difficult process that could leave you unable to speak your mind. But being constantly open to learning about different people and cultivating greater empathy for experiences separate from our own allows us to better wield our language. Amending our speech becomes instinctive, rather than requiring extra thought. Mr. Grumbine’s example could easily become “Success is more likely for everyone if they work hard.” The potential offered by our society is still acknowledged, but the sentiment is no longer absolutist. It even contains the possibility that those with the greatest privilege could exert their best efforts and yet still fail due to the vagaries of an arbitrary world.
Templo S.U.D. over 8 years ago
Oh, please, Ms. Anderson, please! Is it too late?
Oge over 8 years ago
I told you to go with peat moss.
Lamberger over 8 years ago
Panel 3 is patently ridiculous. That meaning is inferred from by the racism of the hearers rather than that meaning implied by the original over-generalized statement.
Comic Minister Premium Member over 8 years ago
I think it is Zack.
pschearer Premium Member over 8 years ago
I only allow people to tell me what I really mean if they can tell me what 8-digit number I’m thinking of.
Seeker149 Premium Member over 8 years ago
Words are extremely powerful. Very often they imply things that we don’t mean to imply. Likewise, our conditioning and environment often lead us to make inferences out of habit rather than conscious reasoning. Microaggressions root themselves in the simple fact that no one is aware of everyone’s point of view. Whether such blindness is maintained willfully or not is a different matter. However, the more we understand, the less we will engage in unintended discrimination.
That being said, we shouldn’t all have to spend inordinate amounts of time carefully choosing our words to be politically correct. You might call that “macroplacation,” an annoyingly difficult process that could leave you unable to speak your mind. But being constantly open to learning about different people and cultivating greater empathy for experiences separate from our own allows us to better wield our language. Amending our speech becomes instinctive, rather than requiring extra thought. Mr. Grumbine’s example could easily become “Success is more likely for everyone if they work hard.” The potential offered by our society is still acknowledged, but the sentiment is no longer absolutist. It even contains the possibility that those with the greatest privilege could exert their best efforts and yet still fail due to the vagaries of an arbitrary world.