"Taboo Language"- A Fredom of Speech or Just an Expression

People speak in different languages, attitude and behavior. We are not all equal in that aspect and humans are not made to be perfect. As our world changes generation to generation, people are becoming liberated and outspoken with the way they expressed themselves. Taboo language incorporates words and phrases that are relevant at that particular time and in that particular situation. Some of our verbal behavior express our emotions and ideas. Uncensored Taboo language in media has its advantages and disadvantages in our society.
There are advantages of uncensored Taboo language in media. Films always have the ability to be creative and realistic. Writer explores his/her imagination with creativity to make us angry, sad and disappoint us. In some point a movie can be controversial in several aspects like immorality, foul language and violence. This is the writer's purpose to make across the point. Using of this techniques in the movies makes the story  real and convincing. We should remember that the movie put us in a state of perception. The actors and actress portray their role magnificently thru the deliverance of this taboo language. One example of a latest movie "Kick-Ass", just with the title is very intriguing. But this is an original comic-book superhero movie about a high school geek  without super power become a phantom crime-fighter. It might show some violence but turn out to be a funny movie.
Through the years taboo language exists in television and radio  industry. Back in the 70's sitcom's have a lot of restrictions in the use of language. But in the 80's words just like "bitch", "shit" and so many to mention get tossed here and there.  This is use for commentaries making it sounds funny, notorious and just simply expressions.  In Jerry Springer Show, they are using many tabloid language but their purpose is to show the real life of those people in real world. People express their feeling without edits and re-enactment of their attitudes and behavior for the general public to judge which is right or wrong.
Taboo language in advertising is used to create an attention-getting shock in the consumer. This is their strategy of distracting the consumers' attention from taboo. Some advertising can be beneficial depending the purpose. In high school Health and Sex Education class, the use of condoms is essential to their knowledge to avoid sexual transmitted disease. Unintentionally condoms is being advertised for educational purpose but it may include uncensored pictures and words that is not appropriate.
Contrary to the benefits of uncensored taboo language in media its great disadvantage concerns the young and innocent. It affects their manners and personality. Children are very smart, they pick and learn things easily. Could you imagine children learning taboo language from the media. They will think that it is appropriate and accepted in our culture, suddenly it becomes their mannerism. I will surely not appreciate a child cursing and bullying another kid. It is not an acceptable behavior while growing up. In some way it destroy the children's personality. We  always said that whatever comes out in your mouth reflect your personality. Children can be judge unjustly because they copied the words not knowing the real meaning of it. People sometimes blame the parents when they heard the kids using taboo language, where in fact they just heard it in the media.
Uncensored "Taboo Language" in media has advantage and disadvantage. Whether it is a freedom of speech or just an expressions. Its advantage depends on purpose it may serve but a great disadvantage to our children.

Prejudicial Language In Our Society

Prejudicial language is a language that is harmful and insult to a person. It is a powerful tool used by many in our society. A negative opinion that forms a stereotyping in certain group. It creates a pre-judgement about certain issue, culture, tradition, race and gender. Its negative opinion often times use to disguise, brainwash or manipulate with the intention of destroying a character. Media is great  factor influencing the growth of prejudicial language in the society. It's network in television, books, movies and music makes it easy to communicate and reach out the majority.
Television is part of our daily lives. Communication reaches every household with it's daily broadcasting of everyday issues and events. It brings information and touch human mind in all ages. It's repetitious broadcasting will mark in our innocent mind. It brainwashes our thinking ability because of prejudicial language. Just for example the war in the Middle East, we seen a lot of bombings and killings done by the terrorist. So for that same reason, Muslim are generalized as terrorist. In September 11, twin tower bombing brings a lot of commotion globally. During those times of broadcasting in the TV news, creates a lot of speculations about the cause. Even before investigation it has a prejudicial thought that the perpetrator is the terrorists. So the focus of the investigation are the Muslims in the area. It helps to draw a conclusion but it is not fair for those who undergoes the surveillance.
Books send a prejudicial message to the reader. The writer uses prejudicial rhetoric language to persuade the reader to believe according to his/her opinions. Writing is a powerful tool using prejudicial language to
put the readers state of reception regading the issue. Its biased or negative opinion build a character or belonging. "Letter from Birmingham Jail' by Martin Luther King is a part of our history and a great book to read. It describes a lot of racism and prejudices in the African society. What happened from the past racial discrimination influence the prejudicial language to be alive in current generation.
The movie industry create a film mostly with regards as a generalization of group, lifestyle and norms within a society. The actors and actresses portray their roles magnificently to convinced the viewing public. Their goal is to make the movie a realization of the truth. Women stereotype as being weak and sexual object. Most of their portrayal shows their weak character in a dramatic role. Being physically attractive uses them in a pornographic or sexy films.
The music contributes in the growth of prejudicial language. Some of the songs written are bias with the writer's opinion and point of view. It's vast and repetitious playback in the radio mark in the mind of the listener. Sometimes music is labeled by it's category. If the music is a heavy rock it is the favorite of the drug users. If it is a rap music it encourages the young and the gangs.
Media is a network in communication that influence the active progression of prejudicial language. It can manipulate and brainwash the innocent minds of the young and the old.
  

"Self Respect....It's mine"

"Self-respect..It's mine", something we can possess and owe to ourself. We maybe rich or poor, that does not matter. I maybe poor but rich with self respect. One can have everything in this world like money, fame,cars and all the luxury....but missing one very important thing ..."self respect". It is not easy to possess self respect, we have to learn and earn it. We have to accept who we are as a person regardless of our nationality, culture, status and capabilities.
Often times we face challenges and trials in our daily lives. We have to make decisions and consider a lot of things around us may be our family, friends and even ourselves. Sometimes we forget to value what is important but those are the  things that makes who we are as a person. I remember of my father's personality, superior, authoritarian and domineering. Nothing is right about any of my decision during my teenage years because he believe that as long as I am living under his roof I will obey all the rules. But at that age, I have the sense of what I want to do and what I want to be. At times I snapped back at him just to voice my opinion and express what I feel which sometimes leads to an argument. I tend to raise my voice to stressed my point. But all I heard from him is simple and straight in a firm voice. He said, "do not disrespect me, that is all I've got..you can find new friends everyday but you can not find a father like me". "What a disgrace?", I said to myself. I turned around and felt so embarassed. In my quiet moments I realized that even though I know what I want I should not only think of me and myself. It is very unselfish for me not to consider my dad who is just concern of my decision. That I know he will be there in times of  failure or success.
In 1994, I am just new here in America. I have my strong accent, naive and very timid. That time, I just started to socialize with Americans and I met Charlie. My Burmese friend intoduced us to each other on her wedding. My first intuition is I do not think that he will be interested in me. Here it comes my fears..I am short, brown complexion, a pudgy nose and not fluent in English. That is right, I am trying to discriminate myself. But he made his first move, offered me a drink and a dance. Well amazingly I felt proud about it because there are a lots of blonde women in the party and he chosed to dance with me. Then it followed his second move. He invited me to watched a movie with my Burmese friend. "Joy Luck Club", a movie where an Asian girl and American boy fell in love with each other, showing their differences in terms of cultures and traditions. What a night mare just to remember from what I watched. I do not think I can handle that indifferences. I have to stop and think if should go on dating with him. I am scared that I will just fall out of love. But, I decided I can give it a try and maybe from there we will discover ourselves. We spent a lot of times knowing and adjusting to each other. We learned and adopted each other's culture with open mind. Now, we are married and I am so happy we found each other. We might have a lot of differences but we have only one heart and one mind combined as a couple. Each one of us  have that love and respect for ourselves and be able to share with one another.
Everyone are specially created by god. Each one of us are  different in so many ways but that is what makes us unique as a person. We have something that is deep within us, not stolen, not borrowed and not bought. "Self-respect...it is mine". Something that I can be proud of, I can carry it everywhere I go, it is my wealth, my happiness and my freedom. Nobody can take it away from me...it is mine.

Interpersonal Communication

Conversation within the family can be challenging at times especially if it involves gender and authority.We always have those moments of conversation  sharing ideas and opinions with our father and mother. Although we have our daily interactions, it may not be as easy as we think when we have to deal with some serious matter. But as always we give our due respect to our parents. We listen  and obey what they have to say.
I've seen family always have a great bonding, talking, playing and enjoying hobbies that they can share together. Having obstacles is unnoticed until you really get into into serious kind of conversation. Yes, gender does matter big time when  father and sons or mother and daughter has to talk. My mother is very sweet, kind and easy going. She spent most of her time at home taking care of us and cooking. We shared a lot of  bonding moments that is so meaningful and unforgettable. We love to talk about what is going on in our family circle while we are cooking . We are open to each other suggestion and  opinions toward a certain project. No big deal if we are on the opposite side. You think  we can fire out an argument if we don't agree, not my mom she is very understanding and patient. I remembered the time that she is teaching me how to sew, I will insist what I think. She will let me to do my way and explore. At the end I realized my mistakes of not following her. My mom knows how sensitive I am but she manage to explain and correct things after I learned from those challenges. There were some sensitive issues that at first I felt so intimidated to discuss with her. Like when a guy has to come over to our house for courtship. Knowing my parents being so protective and strict, it must be a big deal.  But my mom prefer my suitors to come over to our house and meet them rather than dating outside. She will cook and have conversation with them. I guess because of so much bonding time we shared together it so much easier for me to air out my feelings. It can be dramatic at times, we cried and be sad but who cares, I guess it makes us feel better. We are not afraid to show our feelings. We have same sentiments and sensitivity.
As in the case of father and son, I think they handle things differently. By nature, men wants to maintain their composure of having authority and strenght. They express their ideas and opinions with a degree of a certain power. That in turns blocks them to express their emotion and sensitivity. They do not have the drama like women does. Mostly, father guide and share sports activities with their son. But sharing intimate moments with the son might be so difficult. Sometimes, the son feels a little intimidated towards the father because of the authority status.  The status also of the father as the breadwinner and not staying at home most of the time contribute to the conflict. The son spend more time with their mother at home. Most specially father are straight to the point and does not reactive to emotions. Which can be misinterpret by the son of non-caring and domineering attitude.
Father and son can face more challenges as compared to mother and daughter relationship but for me it also depends on one's personality. We do not have to live and follow the stereotyping. We can break it to be a better person and have a good relationship within our family.

Authority Figure in Communication

Communication is a two way expression of opinions and beliefs. As a child we learned every little thing from our parents. They teach us to say our first words,what to eat, and guide us with our first steps. I grew up knowing that my parents is the highest authority in my life. The most important thing I learned since I was a child is the word respect and authority. That means I have to listen, follow and addressed those people who are older than me and it does not matter how old are they. They are our model, our teacher and our mentor. They shape our personality to be a better person. We do not have a choice at our young age because we look up to our parents like a hero. Sad to say that as a child we do not have a voice, in a sense that our parents has the highest authority in communication.
I grew up in a very conservative family with a traditions that influenced from the Spaniards. Parents that are domineering, overpowering and strict to their children. I mean there is pile of rule and regulations to follow. To tell you the truth, I can not even count it or remember most of them. It is a trial and error. You did something wrong you will be punish or you will pay the consequences. Better be straighten up or you will be sorry.
 As I remembered on our elementary days, we just like to play after school. So we are taking advantage while my parents are at work. The house rule is, we have to be home before they got home. So we are happy there is plenty of time for us to play. But as soon as we got home, we have to study. We can not even bargain a treat after doing our homework.  There is no way of goofing around. Our television is even locked, I can not even sneak in for few minutes.  And if there is an adult visitor we are not allowed to mingle and have a conversation, not unless we are asked to. We should stay out of the conversation and be quiet. We just want to enjoy the company of our visitors and socialized with them. But not with my parents, we have nothing to do with it and it is "for adults conversation only".
That took me 16 years to realize that I can not even speak for myself. At that age, I am so much aware what I want to do in my life. I want to be with my friends, go to the mall, attend parties and explore. But still everything is limited. Exception to the rule, we can go as long as my parents know my friends personally. It is all up to my parents and they were more stricter because we are teenager. My parents even tell us what will be our major and what career they want for us. They were even screening and spying who we dated with .                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Not any of those cultural tradition I grew up with is a two way communication. It is only one side of the story. There is something missing. I never had a chance to stand for myself and be independent. All my decision making was approve by my parents. I do not have a voice, my tongue is tied and my lips is sealed. Do I have any choice? Yes, I can either choose to rebel, disobey or follow the rules. But I chose to be a good girl.
On my mid 20's I went to America on my own. I do not have any shadow behind me and authority to worry about. I made my own decision and I learn from it. I stumble and fall, then I stood on my own. Until now I am proud that in midst of everything I can take care of myself. Having a parent as a higher authority of command varied in age level. On my experienced, I am proud that my parents were behind me during those early years of my life. They were strict for a good cause. All parents want the best for their children even it distracts effective communication. As an adult we can have our own opportunity to be heard, to voice our own opinion and make our own decision. Now, I am a parent I perfectly understand my parent's concern for me when I was young. I believe I will have that same respect from my children.  Through the years they will also understand that effective communication is a learning process from a higher authority.