Why Do We Use Offensive Language?

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Recommended: Freedom of expression and censorship

Offensive language has been around for several centuries and has only evolved with different terms constantly appearing. Racism and sexism are the most common of hateful language and has led to various amounts of cruel treatment and oppression for many people all over the world. Although many people have attempted to eliminate offensive language, some people attempt to mask the seriousness of racism and sexism. The elimination of offensive language is proving effective because the media has reduced racist and sexist terms used, parents don't want their kids to be exposed to racist terms involved in literature, and many authors have written books to teach readers not to use offensive language. For instance, the media has reduced the usage of massive amounts of racist and sexist language on air. The fact that CNN, such a widely watched international network avoids using offensive words would likely influence others to refrain from the usage of them as well. At one time, there was even a $50 fine for using offensive terms, such as “foreign” on air.. CNN avoided using words like “foreign” and replaced it with “international” in its early days to …show more content…

But why do adults want to hide terms from children instead of teach them that they are negative and should not be used under any circumstance? By not exposing children to racist terms, it could help them as they grow up to avoid using them if they do not know that they exist. Advocates wanted to remove a supposedly racist text, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, from curriculums because of the usage of the word “nigger” (Kakutabi). By people wanting to remove a text with racist terms, it’s implying that they do not want children to be exposed to the cruel words so that they will be less likely to use them when they’re

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