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The OP specifically addresses that issue. "Sometimes good words and good aspirations get tarnished with history, and need to be set aside" ...and... "Sadly,
by notacoward 8y ago
The OP specifically addresses that issue.
"Sometimes good words and good aspirations get tarnished with history, and need to be set aside"
...and...
"Sadly, “meritocracy” is not that word. Maybe it once was, or could have been. But not today."
Like it or not, words have more than etymological meaning. They also have historical and cultural meaning, that might be sharply at odds with their etymology, and that precludes their use even in situations where they're technically accurate. "Meritocracy" has become such a word. Like "traditional American values" and "celebration of European culture" as synonyms for racism, "meritocracy" has become a rallying cry for opposition to diversity, inclusion, and egalitarianism. All as the person who originally coined the word meant it, BTW. We can coin new words that are just as etymologically valid without the cultural baggage.
- CWuestefeld 8y agoWell, the OP mentions it. But you haven't actually provided any rebuttal to my analogy with terminology for other missed goals. I think they're pretty good examples of words that are "historically tarnished" in similar ways.
- raxxorrax 8y ago> Like "traditional American values" and "celebration of European culture" Or diversity and inclusiveness.
- cheeseomlit 8y agoWe're not allowed to talk about celebrating European culture anymore?
- danharaj 8y agoWhat the hell is European culture? German culture, Italian culture, Romanian culture, sure. But...?
- cheeseomlit 8y agoYou just said what it is? I mean, what is Hispanic culture if not Mexican/Spanish/Venezuelan/etc., what the hell is Asian culture if not Chinese/Japanese/Korean/etc.
- danharaj 8y agoI don't think I've ever heard anyone say "celebrate Asian culture". Precisely because it's a barely meaningful agglomeration. Now if we examine the context in which "European culture" is celebrated... hm, yes I see.
- true_religion 8y agoI have heard it. There are just generic Asian American society functions, which celebrate the melting pot of everyone who isn't strictly first generation and has multiple ethnic backgrounds.
- AstralStorm 8y agoThat would be Asian American culture then, except Americans tend to not notice that their culture is not everywhere and needs qualification.
- hjrnunes 8y agohttp://portlandobserver.com/news/2018/apr/25/celebrate-asian-culture/ http://portlandobserver.com/news/2018/apr/25/celebrate-asian...
- java_script 8y agoYou've never heard of this as a dog whistle? I really want an answer from you on this - are you completely unaware of the way the phrase is used by right wing nationalists?
- cheeseomlit 8y agoI'm aware and I don't care. I'm a product of those cultures and I'm happy to celebrate them- and I certainly won't allow others to dictate my lexicon based on association with groups they don't like
- java_script 8y agoOk fair. Then would they be wrong to associate you with those groups? Ie in the debates those ‘groups’ tend to wage, do you fall on their side?
- cheeseomlit 8y agoDepends on the issue and the group. If you're making the argument that those who have no issue with the phrase 'celebrating European culture' tend to be more conservative then I'd agree
- notacoward 8y agoThen I'm sure you wouldn't have a problem with whatever name they choose to call you based on your skin color etc., right? Because it's their lexicon, it's not for you to decide. Or maybe being able to say others must accept your choice of words is an assertion of privilege.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- cirgue 8y ago> "Sometimes good words and good aspirations get tarnished with history, and need to be set aside" Every word, every ideal, and every good intention becomes tarnished by history. Humanity is not a perfect phenomenon: it is deeply imperfect. There is no way to have progress if our moral view of the world is purely associative.
- furgooswft13 8y ago"Meritocracy" is only tarnished by the very same people writing blogs like this. Don't be surprised if you spend years trashing a house then suddenly realize you don't want to live there anymore. Plenty of people will continue to use the word and try to live up to it's concept because they did not buy the FUD heaped on it (by the very people who now conveniently want to abandon it) in the first place.
- pgeorgi 8y agoStep 1: Point out how horrible "meritocracy" is Step 2: Bemoan that you need a new word for what meritocracy used to mean Step 3: ??? (my guess is: rinse and repeat)