We watched the 20/20 special about the children of the mountains, and all over the tv is the mountain dew mouth. Well, this isn't new people. Where has everyone been? It's not just mountain people either! I grew up in the south. It was not uncommon for babies to have coke in their bottles. It's not a good thing, and educating people on the effects of soda at such a young age is important. But, that doesn't mean it isn't going to happen. Everyone knows that smoking causes cancer, but people still smoke. Alcohol has several health risks, but alcohol is still consumed. People will still put mountain dew in their babies bottles, even if you tell them not to. What I don't understand is why people want to hold the soda companies responsible? Why does someone always have to 'pay'? The blame game is always being played in our society and it's ignorant. I don't want to be denied my Pepsi or Coke because other people don't brush their teeth.
Another issue: Of course we all know that kids say "That's so Gay!" when they are insulting, or making fun, or just using the phrase as an adjective. Well there is a public service announcement saying to "Knock it off". First off, I am not against homosexuals, or am I being mean to the gay community, but I don't agree with censoring this phrase. Why? Because language is subjective. Gay in the dictionary means happy. If homosexuals can claim a word from the dictionary and change the meaning, then anyone can use a word how they please. I'm just being logical here. No one is saying "That's so homosexual". So who cares? People don't say, "That guy is Fine!" anymore, they did when I was young. But if I said 'fine' today I would sound weird. I think the same thing will happen with 'that's so gay'. If it's ignored, it will get old. It may end up not being socially acceptable, like other language in our society. But come on, don't tell me to 'knock it off' in your public service announcement. You also know that gay people also say 'that's so gay'.
Bottom line:
I am free to talk how I want, drink what I want, go to McDonald's if I want. I think some people are making mountains out of mountain dew-haaahaaa! (lame, sorry).
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4 comments:
I have to disagree with you on the phrase "that's so gay." Of course, language is subjective, but if it where completely without some common meaning in would be meaningless, not to mention useless. Whether or not,anyone likes it or agrees "gay" has, in our culture and historical moment, come to signify a group of people. Consequently, negative uses of that word reflect the bias that still exists against said group. This may not be the intention of the speaker. So often we are unaware of the societal prejudice that we carry, but it is an act of oppression all the same. As my wise (though I would never tell her that) mother used to say, "Sticks and stones just break bones. Words can shatter souls."
I agree with the previous commenter. It is wrong!
I agree with you that there is a lacking in personal responsibility about at the moment. This includes what we drink and what we say.
It is not the government's job to tell people what they can and can't say.
I do not drink soda because there is zero goodness in it and 100% harm. (click here for an explanation) However it is everyone's personal responsibility to use or not to use, and education is the key, not coercion or blame.
You're absolutely free to talk how you want, etc. Just wanted to mention that when kids say "that's so gay!" I really think they are using "homosexual" as an insult. I spend time around college kids, and I call them on this whem I hear it-- not angry, just "hey, why are you calling that thing 'gay'? It's not homosexual, is it?" and then going on to "if you use 'gay' as an insult, that's pretty insulting to gay people, isn't it?" if they don't get the hint. Not one has ever responded "I just meant 'gay', not 'homosexual'." They either back down, or argue that making fun of gay people is, in fact, OK. That's a different issue; I don't think I can change anybody's mind on that. I just want people to be aware that using that particular phrase is insulting to certain people around them. If they still want to say it, well, they'll lose my friendship, but that's all I can do.
And yes, some gay people say it, too. Well, some blacks use "the n-word", but that doesn't mean that I'm allowed to :)
I'm enjoying your blog, by the way :)
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