I agree with the editorial ‘Kept out of bounds’ (Indian Express, October23).
The editorial talks about the inappropriate choice of words the bench used as it tried to define the contours of domestic partnerships and give unmarried woman in long-term relations some of the legal benefits in marriage. For example the use of ‘keep’ by the Supreme Court (referring to a woman whom a man maintains financially for sexual purpose and or as a servant) is offensive and reflects badly on women.
This is because words are so powerful and they not only communicate ideas but, they also reflect the mindset and attitudes of people. We are all passing through a transition in social perceptions wherein we are trying to bring some respect to socially disadvantage sections by abandoning certain terminologies that were commonly used in the past. Words like ‘negro’ is offensive because it is a term associated with the long history of slavery, segregation and discrimination that treated African-Americans as second class citizens, or worse. It is a term that racists would use simply to get black people mad wherein, we can simply refer to them as African-Americans. In the process we would just land up hurting others sentiments and wreck their peace. It is again like calling a Jewish person Hebrew or an Asian person Oriental. No one wants to be labeled by others especially when the label is derogatory.
The quick fix is more or less the ability to coin better substitutes of words, to protect others dignity and avoid misinterpretations.
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