Across American universities, there's a growing trend of controlling language, extending beyond preferred pronouns to include comprehensive "language guides" that flag terms like "mother," "father," and even "America" as potentially harmful. While proponents frame this as promoting inclusivity, the underlying motives are far more complex.
Rhetoric, the art of persuasive communication, reveals how these tactics aim to reshape student discourse and advance specific ideologies. By limiting vocabulary, these guides restrict the range of expressible thoughts, effectively controlling how students perceive and interpret the world.
This language policing mirrors historical examples in totalitarian regimes, where controlling speech was a tool for maintaining power. George Orwell's "1984" reflects this reality, highlighting how manipulating language can alter perceptions and suppress dissent.
The rise of "neo-pronouns" and the push to replace terms like "mother" and "father" exemplify this trend. While presented as promoting inclusivity, these changes can erase the distinct roles of men and women in child-rearing and encourage alternative family structures, potentially impacting future generations.
As universities become centers of cultural and ideological shifts, resisting language policing is crucial. Upholding truthful language is essential to preserving independent thought and preventing the manipulation of societal values.
