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I thought the issue was that "broken windows" was used as a metaphor for all low-level infractions, and not literally interpreted as "fix the windows and clean
by sirmarksalot 3y ago
I thought the issue was that "broken windows" was used as a metaphor for all low-level infractions, and not literally interpreted as "fix the windows and clean up the graffiti" as the studies recommended. This then got implemented as quotas on police departments, leading to opportunistic, biased policing and the de facto criminalization of poverty.
As a result, the term "broken windows" now carries a ton of baggage, and is sometimes used as a racist dog whistle.
- tekknik 3y agoPretty much every phrase carries a ton of baggage to someone, it’s impossible to speak without offending at least one person. What some, or even a majority, go on to redefine it as does not change its original meaning. If a place looks like a dump people will treat it like a dump. You and wherever you read this from is conflating the issue with racism.
- paulryanrogers 3y agoLanguage is fluid. You can deny a new meaning, yet if you're in the minority then you may suffer for it. Most engineers aren't working on siege works any more.
- tekknik 3y agoWe will quickly end up with no words if we continue this language hijacking path. English is a very contextual language. If a phrase or word is racist then the entire sentence is racist. I can recall an instance where I used the phrase "you people" on the internet. Clearly impossible for me to know the peoples race I was speaking to, yet they claimed it racist because some racist people somewhere also speak English. How about we listen to what people are actually saying instead of twisting meaning to fit a narrative to further control speech? For those that are offended by speech and are demanding, essentially, the removal of the first amendment, it is a learning opportunity that words don't actually harm, only actions.