Oppression sucks.

Meeting people from different states or countries is weird. I hate it. Well the situation, not the people. Its easy to tell when one is from a new area. It’s especially weird when you don’t know what to say. You’ll sit there and think about how you look and sound. Choice of words are the most difficult to decide. Everyone should watch what they say. Its all about presentation- you never know whether you’re making a good or bad impression. Most importantly, you don’t want to be made fun of because of your vocabulary. Language is oppressive at times when one just doesn’t fit in. Or when a use of a word is different from others. Sadly enough, almost everyone gets made fun of or put down at some point.
Slang terms are most commonly used and often misunderstood. They vary from state to state, regions, and meaning. One shouldn’t use his or her state’s slang terms in another state. We just won’t get it. This is where situations get complicated. Exhibit A: Don’t ask for “jimmies” on your cupcake; we call them sprinkles in California. It will result in looks of confusion and your embarrassment. There are also the times where someone says something for the sake of fitting in. Doesn’t always work! For example, “hella.” Yeah, people in the Bay Area say “hella” but not in Orange County. Just don’t do it! Its always out of state students that do it. They’re just trying to fit in with the “Cali kids.” It often leads to someone being a jerk and saying “Uh… this isn’t the Bay Area retard!”
In these situations, we see the oppression due to misconceptions. Someone’s choice of words leads to their harassment. Well not like physical harassment. There will always be that person to correct you and tell you that their right and you’re wrong. Basically telling you that you can’t use your slang. You’ll find yourself adopting new words and leaving yours behind because someone said you had to. It’s the “cool” thing to do. Basically someone’s always telling you what to do. Sounds like oppression to me.
Another situation involves accents. One can easily pinpoint a foreigner or someone from a different region by their accent. I’d hate to be that person! For example, many people will be mocking you. Others will keep asking you to say certain words over and over. Usually for their own entertainment. Some will call you something dumb, like a city or state’s name, because of your accent. Imagine being called “Boston” or “New Jersey” or “Alabama!” Yeah, that’d suck. You will be known as “the one with the accent.” And finally, there will be the ones that will be offensive to your specific area because of your accent. Only because you might not sound like everyone else. Some people will make some kind of prejudice association between your accent and where you live. Its another prejudice and oppressive situation!
Apart from direct offenses, language can also be oppressive when words are used in a different context. Words like “gay” and “fag” are often substituted with “stupid” and “lame.” These words alone are offensive. When these words are used in a different context, some people are further offended because of the connection made between them. The lifestyles of certain people are further looked down upon. It happens all the time! The more its done, the harder it will be to stopped. Even little kids say these things!
Yeah so, you might stop here and disagree with me. These are very few times when language plays an oppressive role in our social circles. I mention them because they’re so common. Especially at a place like college, where there’s people from all over the world. The past week alone I’ve heard many of these situations happen! Yeah, they’re not COMPLETELY oppressive. No one is starting a rebellion or ranging war because of it. But just stop to think about how people take advantage of the situation in order to put someone down. It’s almost like they just can’t accept their differences!
Language plays an oppressive roles directly and indirectly. There are times when you purposely say something to offend someone. Is that ever necessary? There are also the times when something you say can be offensive. We all make our mistakes. But then there are times when someone tries to make someone else completely change their speech in order to fit in. That’s like pretty oppressive, right? Language is another difference between people we must accept. As is difference in skin color. Its another barrier separating people. As people, we have a natural tendency to correct people rather than accept people. So listen into people’s conversations during your lunch break today, and count the times you hear these things happen!