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October 20, 2006
Rank and File
by Nova Stubbs, insurgent49

Fuck You, Neil

    Language is a funny thing. It can be used as a tool to manipulate and oppress, or to preach hate. Conversely, it can express love and kindness. From body language to the spoken word, communication flows. It is powerful, but in reality it is the intentions and they way it is used that matters most.

    For instance, on the topic of guns, the saying goes “guns don’t kill people, people do.” And I agree with this statement, because a gun is as good as the way it is used. Language is like a gun, because it is the way that it is wielded that counts.
   
    Years ago, my husband and a good friend of his used to greet one another by flipping each other off. It was a playful greeting that was utilized in the spirit of good fun. Also, I have a female friend who addresses a dear friend of hers by saying, “Hello my sweet cunt, how are you?” Another friend of mine, who is a lesbian, often addresses many of her lesbian friends as “dykes.” And, yet another African-American pal of mine addresses a lot of his pals as “nigga.”

    This whole concept of political correctness can often grow tiresome, especially for those who acknowledge that words don’t mean much, but intentions mean everything. Language is mirage of human constructed labels, and those who use them in good fun should not have to be berated for their behavior.
 
    On the other hand, language can be used in hate, but we must consider the intentions and tune our ears to hear beyond the words, and understand the meaning.

    Human intentions and actions will always be at the epicenter of both hate and love, not language. For instance, George W. Bush has never, at least to my knowledge, publicly uttered the words “nigger” or “white trash.” However, he and his cronies did sit back and do nothing while thousands of poor people, most of whom were poor and/or black, died during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Racism was real in this case, and so were racist intentions. Bush and Co. didn’t seem to care much that poor people were dying. Instead, the administration was able to use language in order to convince the American people that it was the other guy who screwed up.

They use the same art of language to legitimize the war in Iraq. In the end, it is the human intentions that that allow millions of innocent people to die.

    So, when a friend tells me to go fuck myself, should I raise my fist? Or should I realize that the intentions behind the words meant nothing more than a joyful jab. When the leaders of my country tell me that the war in Iraq is for the purpose of democracy and freedom, should I applaud? Or should I seek out the intentions and attempt to hear beyond the words?

     For those of you who don’t know, when I say “Fuck You, Neil” I am really saying hello to my good buddy. After all, language is a funny thing.   
      

   
 

     











      Nova Stubbs is a freelance writer and activist, and is co-founder of Insurgent49. Nova resides in an undisclosed location in downtown Anchorage and may be contacted at nova@insurgent49.com.
- Columnists -

Editor's Desk
by Aaron Selbig

Rank and File
by Nova Stubbs

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by Soren Wuerth

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in-sur-gent (in sur'jent), n. 1. a member of a group which revolts against the policies of its leadership.