The Power of Words: Leveraging Language to Dismantle Oppression.

• Words shape perceptions and are a powerful tool to either dismantle or uphold social injustice. 
• Passive language only serves the perpetrators while subjecting the victims to scrutiny and blame.
• Responsive language can drive social transformation and promote equality, dignity and respect in everyday conversations.

“Speech has power. Words do not fade. What starts out as a sound ends in a deed.”

– Abraham Joshua Heschel

The Power of Words

Words are never just words. They are a reflection of the societies they are from. They are a tool through which we communicate what is important, who matters, and why. They are a gateway into the way people are treated by others. They also determine the decisions we make regarding other people. Terms like Mankind or Man-made, centre the human experience around men and the male perspective as superior. At the same time, phrases such as third-world countries centre on a colonial perspective to development and civilization. Through language, systems of dominance and power in society are further enhanced.

Language shapes narrative and these consequently influence attitudes, social responses, policies, and ultimately laws. An example of this is calling migrants and undocumented people ‘illegal’ or ‘aliens’. The use of these words criminalizes their existence instead of centering on empathy for their situation, allowing for harmful stereotypes. Through the words used, institutions can dehumanize others, allowing them to be treated unjustly without consequence. 

On the flip side, when language is used to foster solidarity, empower, and bring visibility, it becomes a powerful tool. Consider Martin Luther King Jr’s famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech and  Barack Obama’s ‘Yes We Can’ mantra. They highlight how words can inspire resistance and movements for change. They inspired and made people feel seen, sparking changes that made history.

Gender-based Violence and the Failure of Passive Language

Notably, one area where the language used has failed society is reporting on Gender-based violence. Too often, language used in discussing gendered violence is passive. Headlines, news bulletins, and conversations around GBV mention the crime and victim while leaving out the perpetrators. This omission shifts focus away from those responsible and subtly supports a culture of victim blaming.

Statistics shared by UN Women depict that 1 in 3 women have experienced GBV from a partner or family member. Despite knowing who the perpetrators are, we still get headlines that do not mention them. This leads to a situation where perpetrators go scot-free, even in the social commentary on the issues. On the other hand, placing victims in the spotlight of crimes against them gives room for more scrutiny, and blame. 

Good reporting on gendered violence is keen on protecting the victim while exposing the perpetrators. It does more to showcase an active perpetrator in these crimes while safeguarding the dignity of the victim/survivor. This type of language would go a long way in sparking conversations about WHO is the perpetrator of gendered violence. It can bring more light into the disproportionate way in which women are the victims with men as the perpetrators. Acknowledging this disparity can inspire preventive action including questioning social norms that enable GBV to be prevalent. 

Simply changing the language used can play a big role in the way victims and survivors of GBV are perceived. Language can either show support or shun victims while concealing perpetrators. There is a need to intentionally use language that tells the true story which we often feel compelled to hide. Facing these truths will push us to do better and deal with the rot that is GBV.

Leveraging Inclusive Language for Social Transformation

An easy yet powerful way to promote inclusion and social transformation is through the use of responsive or inclusive language. These are words and phrases that seek to bring everyone into the conversation.They seek to give people respect and dignity without further stigmatizing people who are already being pushed out of conversations. Using responsive language can be as simple as referring to people with their preferred pronouns. It can also mean replacing ableist or gendered words with neutral alternatives. 

Using inclusive language challenges unconscious biases on certain things such as one gender being the status quo for a career. For example, using steward instead of ‘airhostess’ goes against the stereotype that only women can take on this job. Another example is using the gender-neutral term police officer instead of policeman in general conversation and reporting.

Shaping Perceptions and Fostering Inclusion

Inclusive language is about breaking down barriers, especially with words that feel gendered, ableist, or racist. For instance, referring to persons with disabilities instead of disabled people. This simple change moves from an ableist language to one that acknowledges humanity first. Calling people with disabilities PWDs ensures that their conditions are not their sole identity. It also seeks to acknowledge that they do have abilities and strengths despite having limitations. 

However, responsive and inclusive language is not just about being politically correct. It is about social transformation, which makes sure everyone is seen, heard, and understood. It is about making sure people find validation in communication. Inclusive language makes people know their feelings and perspective matter. It pushes narratives of inclusion into action and can spark important conversations about why certain terms are as they are. Inclusive language challenges the perceptions we have and allows us to create new, better ones.

“Words are things, I’m convinced. You must be careful, careful about calling people out for their names, using racial pejoratives and sexual pejoratives, and all that ignorance. Words are things. You must be careful. Someday, we’ll be able to measure the power of words. I think they are things. They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and your clothes, and finally into you.” – Maya Angelou.

Words carry within them power. They have the potential to build bridges, give people dignity, and strengthen solidarity. At the same time, the opposite is true: words can cause oppression and breed destruction. It is up to us to choose empathy and intentionally work to use language that serves people and brings equality.