new thread
I was ploughing through some academic research for an essay I'm preparing to write this afternoon when I came across the following extract, which I found quite thought provoking:
If an army sergeant says to a corporal, 'As your sergeant, I order you to get your hair cut' this is not, by my criterion, an instance of repressive (form of) discourse, even though the Army context of the order may be repressive and the content of the order is. But the form in which the order is given does not disguise the social relationship which makes the legitimate giving of such an order possible. Equally, the order does not disguise its status as an order. There is explicit reference both to the social relationship ('As your sergeant...') and the status of the discourse as an order (indicated by the explicit performative 'I order you to...').In contrast, if the same order is given in the form 'Get your hair cut!' then I think that this is repressive in form because it omits reference both to the social relation which allows such an order to be legitimately given and to its own status as an order. Of course, in the Army context, the order given in this abbreviated form is in practice no more repressive that the order given in the expanded form, and this shows that repressiveness in practice cannot be regarded as a consequence of form. On the other hand, I think there are contexts where it makes a practical difference whether orders are given in contracted or expanded form.
From: Pateman, T. (1980) Language, Truth & Politics
The extent to which we're affected by slurs is obviously an entirely individual reaction. If you do hear the classic, "Get your hair cut" (which tries to put you on the weak end of a power relationship) realise that it is rarely a command with any firm ground - and dismiss it appropriately.
Great posting!!!!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing this with the Hyperboard. It bespeaks so much sense, intelligence and is so "Rock-Solid."
Good luck with the essay Resonance. I am most sure you will be a shoe-in for an "A" with your fantastic writing skills and abilities. :-)
Best as always -
Jusin
Slurs are used in an attempt to gain some sort of dominance over someone else. The slurs actually have little to nothing to do with the person they are being used on but can still be effective on persons with submissive personalities or little self-esteem. They are also effective in mis-informing others about that person and can result in the person having to leave the social circle or submit to their wishes to regain some sort of favor and hopefully end the slurs.
People who tell lies about others, either to their face or to others, just plain suck and can take their power trip and shove it!
Longhairs need not submit to that kind of manipulation because we realize that there is another option...not to let it affect you and your decisions. The longer you grow your hair the stronger you become in your resolve to make your own decisions.