Web Lecture: Metaphors and Culture

In the recent Web lecture on Metaphors and Culture I found one part of the article particularly interesting. It said, "organizational culture plays an important role in promoting ideology that privileges certain groups over others... vocabulary, and other cultural artifacts are infused with an organization's ideology. Because that ideology resides outside organization members' usual awareness, they come to accept and participate in their own oppression." Even just focusing on the vocabulary used on regular basis in our society, and in organizations daily, it is apparent how our language inherently dominates and oppresses outsiders and minorities.
The implications of this reality is something that is not often spoken about, even though these speech patterns are used numerous times throughout our day. How many times do we say that something is "gay," to imply that it is not fun, or that a girl is a "slut" and a guy is a "pimp" when doing the same action? We use these sayings or similar sayings without realizing what we are actually doing. We are continuing the circle of dominance for the rich, white, straight guy. We use these words inherently as way of suppressing others to make us feel more dominant. As a result of this, these minorities are using these words which are oppressing them, in order to fit in our society. By creating and using words that oppress others we are facilitating a world of hierarchy dependent on race, sex, status.
            As we come to realize the consequences of our actions it is clear that the usage of our language needs a change. Instead of using these belittling words we can use more appropriate words that contain the actual meaning we are trying to convey. As for reassuring the dominance of the white, rich, straight male, he can spend time reflecting on other ways to boost his ego, as well as, how he feels about his past of oppressing those different from him. We can all be more aware of our word usage and make conscious choices when we speak.