We all know that we must be careful what words we use in
this politically correct era. Or even what pronouns. Terms that used to be
commonly used are now considered hurtful, non-inclusive and “marginalizing.”
For example, we can’t use “wop” to indicate an Italian. (It’s okay in this
case, I’m part Italian). Nor can we use the term “retarded” to refer to
someone of less than stellar intelligence—or to someone with whom we
disagree—unless it is a member of the Trump family. Similarly, calling someone
short is insensitive. The preferred term is “vertically challenged.” Nor do we
label someone bald. We say he is “too tall for his hair.”
And now,
Sonja Falck, a British psychology lecturer and psychotherapist says the use of
“slurs” against those with high IQs is not only in poor form, but should be
considered a hate
crime, according to London’s Telegraph. Ms. Falck says terms such as
“nerd,” “geek,” and “egghead” are divisive and humiliating and should be
considered on par with homophobic, racial and religious smears. She terms these
anti-intelligence brickbats the “last taboo” of hate crimes. She has spent
years researching discrimination against very smart people and has found that
being labeled an “egghead” or “brainiac,” among other terms, makes many of them
feel apart from others, like misfits who don’t belong to society at large.
It’s
about time progressives realized that smart people have feelings, too. Calling
particularly bright folks “bookworms,” “highbrow,” “know-it-alls,”
“bluestockings” and “genius” may make progressives feel good, but how do they
think it makes the intelligent feel? Maybe one day they’ll even recognize that
the most successful and highly placed among us are human, as well, and don’t
relish being treated as freaks. Perhaps we will soon stop calling wealthy
athletes and CEOs “stars,” “blue-chippers,” “the Big Cheese,” “Big Kahuna,”
“head-honcho,” “muckamucks” and “boss-man,” sparing them the pain of being
singled out and mis-labeled.
After
all, it shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that, deep down, we are
all the same. Right?
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