Importance of Language in Racial and Gender Inequality

It is a great start for anyone to take a class which focuses or discusses on gender inequality and race relations; however, it is crucial that the class is taught correctly. The conversations in these types of classes can sometimes go in and out of a student’s head. These conversations can also have no meaning for a student. This is why studying language at the same time is extremely important, because it allows the student to reflect back on the way they talk, if they do talk in a bias. Talking in a bias happens to everyone, which is why there must be a greater focus on language rather than only in the discussion of the actual problem at hand. Many people are victims of speaking in such biases, for example saying “he,” when the subject is unidentified. Speaking in this way is only natural; however, incorrect, and can be improved on.

Studying language while discussing race relations is also useful in a sense that allows people to use the correct terms for what they are trying to express. For example, the media often uses the word “jihad” when they are referring to the muslim “holy war”. This term; however, is incorrect, because it actually means a struggle against oneself. Since the term “jihad” has been used for so long by the media, and consequently a large part of the country, it has gained a negative connotation that does not accurately portray the real meaning behind that word that is a positive word in the Islam religion. Studying language will help pick-up on misused terms such as this one.