I have some former friends at Loyola University. Sadly, the number one reason that acquaintances become former friends is due to a simple, two-word phrase: “That’s gay.”
Nothing says more about a person’s level of intelligence (or lack thereof) than the use of this all-too-common expression.
As I’m sure Loyola’s English faculty will agree, our mother tongue is endowed with a variety of adjectives that are quite colorful and much more accurate than “gay.” It would be the same thing if you said, “That’s retarded,” or “That’s stupid.”
Instead of thinking about how offensive it might be to others, look at how the usage of such expressions reflects on you. Using the same adjective incorrectly over and over again makes one look extremely ignorant and uncivilized. As students of an internationally recognized institution of higher learning, we need to improve our vocabularies, instead of using a catchall phrase that isn’t even logical.
For example, you’re listening to music with friends and suddenly Lady Gaga comes on. Your reaction? “That’s gay!”
OK folks, let’s analyze that remark. Are you saying Lady Gaga’s music is gay? The last time I checked, music doesn’t have a sexual orientation.
Another situation: You see a guy with a blue streak in his hair. Again: “That’s gay!” OK, dyeing a blue streak in your hair does not determine your sexual orientation. Neither does wearing skinny jeans or pink polo shirts.
If you stop and analyze what the world labels as gay, 99 percent of it falls into the categories of actions that actually aren’t linked to sexual orientation at all. In fact, sexual orientation is determined by nothing outside the attraction to members of either the opposite or one’s own sex.
The same rule applies to phrases like “That’s retarded,” or “That’s stupid.” Just think about what you are saying. Does that movie you’re watching really have a mental defect? Is it learning-impaired? I think not.
So, do the English language a favor and start working on that vocabulary. I promise that you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the results.
Abraham Thacker is an international business freshman. He can be reached at [email protected]
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