A WORD ABOUT CRITICS AND WORD POLICE

A WORD ABOUT CRITICS AND WORD POLICE.

     This blog has received criticism for certain words and content, especially in its formative years. The former CC editor was criticized for the caption “Incident at Malmedy.” The critic found the word Incident inappropriate. The editor read the criticism and explanation in another blog and subsequently changed the word to conform to general usage.

     Another post drew the attention of a Cortland Rural Cemetery trustee. This person criticized a satire as inappropriate, possibly placing the cemetery trustees and the cemetery itself in disrepute. The former CC editor replied to the criticism and defended the satire. The post remains in the blog today.

     “Nigger,” “dagoes” and “celestials” are offensive words today, but CC has printed these words in our blog. They were copied from the pages of 19th century newspapers. No one criticizes these words because they are re-published in historical context. To hear such words spoken in public today may be the prelude to a race riot or mayhem.

     Extreme word critics are known in some literary circles as word police. They are didactic and intolerant. Those who don’t conform to their word censorship are sometimes called racists. The word police often operate on campus or at political events. They shout down opponents and close the doors to free speech and free thought. They also write blistering op-ed commentary. Intolerance of the political enemy is acceptable. Competition is not.

     We have slipped past the year 1984, but we seem to have dragged some elements of the fictional version of that year with us to the present.