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What's the option for someone who disagrees with the societal norms, then?
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In retrospect, I realized my connection between Joey Bob who says mothafucka every sentence and someone working for social change was pretty weak, but I thought of an apt example. Apt, depending on your opinion of the man, I suppose.
Everytime I think about this issue of censorship of speech, Eminem comes to mind. So many groups were vocal in their opposition to many of his songs; he's mysogonistic, sexist, racist, advocates murder, etc, etc. Howeer, I was always left with the feeling that these critics hadn't truly listening to his lyrics. Because hidden within the meaning of his rhymes was a very powerful message, one directly opposed to the things he was being accused of. He talks about loving his wife and mother, of hating the violence that he seems in the hip-hop subculture, the stupid racism that almost stopped him from entering the music industry at all, and the trials and tribulations that lead to it all. One could argue that he might've passed the message without his overtly offensive language, but I personally believe that it highlighted for the critics exactly how hypocritical they were.
Again, an instance where content is more important than delivery.
You could call them an idiot or ignore them becuase of their percieved lack of intelligence or social skills, but what if they're in a position to help you? What if the foul-mouthed sailor happens to see you get mugged, chases down the mugger, and presents him to authorities? That judgement wouldn't feel all too fair, would it? I think there's a lot of untapped potential you miss in people if you summarily dismiss them because they say "fuck" all-too-often.
EDIT: Derwood -- in response to earlier: I apologize if I offended you by my comment, but it was an off-the-cuff reponse of my own to the feeling that you were threatening physical violence to me or anyone who would use swear words. I could have, however, said it in a much more progressive (rather than regressive) way; sorry.