Transforming The Language

A woman in Philadelphia is trying to change the name of a popular Cheesesteak place in NE Philly.

Here is an excerpt to my letter to the Daily News regarding this article:

I believe Ms. Ayscue has missed a beautiful part of our language: it constantly evolves over time. Open up the Oxford English Dictionary (or any with lengthy etymology) you will see various dead versions and meanings of the word. Instead of keeping a HATEFUL version alive, Ms. Ayscue should embrace the home to wonderful cheesesteaks as a way to eliminate the usage of that word as derogatory.

According to hyperdictionary.com, the definition of the word chink has 6 meanings: "a short light metallic sound" and " a narrow opening as e.g. between planks in a wall" both come before "offensive terms for a person of Chinese descent". Further, according to the website, the 1913 version of Webster's Dictionary doesn't even INCLUDE the derogatory definition. Proof positive that our language evolves. What will the dictionary say 91 years FROM NOW?

This evolution is similar to the way, the African American population has embraced the term "Nigga" to mean "brother or close friend" in their music as a way to obfuscate the more hateful word. With hip-hop music crossing over into White Suburban America, their colloquial expressions like "bling-bling", "peace out", "baller", and "wack" infiltrate white language, it is a matter of time where the N word means MY FRIEND, MY BROTHER and not the hateful word we know now.

I can empathize with Ms. Ayscue's experience with racism. And I can see how that can set back the growth of an individual, which is what any bullying tactic is MEANT to do. I can't help feel like drawing our attention to the word doesn't call attention her ability to overcome racism, but to use it as a badge of honor for being a victim. Continuing to remind us that the term is derogrative, only strengthens those who still want to use the term that way. Help us forget this version of the word so that 91 years from now Webster's definition will be:

chink [n] : 1. a short light metallic sound 2. Proper Name used for popular Philadelphia cheesesteak shop

• Finding the Right Words
• Hyperdicitonary.com: Chink
• Rap Dictionary
• Battling a "Racist" Cheesesteak shop
• A Barbershop By Any Other Name
• Best Cheesesteak Places in PA

HammLinks: Around the Web Today

Go to Google.com. Type in "weapons of mass destruction". Click I feel lucky. What do you get???

• Weapons of Mass Googlation
• Reality TV Blog
• CNN Redfaced over mistake about Letterman Show bit
• Chicken Powered Nuke?
• Haven't we had enough of Ashton Kutcher?