Language is a weapon used to make ‘others’ of people in poverty
~ Gary Rae, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Language, as a tool, is never neutral. It’s used and exploited by me, by you, by journalists and by politicians. A tool can easily become a weapon and here lies the greatest danger; not just in the characterisation of people living with poverty, but in their demonization. Intentionally or not, we are doing what Professor Ruth Lister calls ‘Othering’ The Poor: making them into ‘convenient strangers’, subject to ridicule, subject to reform, subject to ignorance.

via @donattroppo

Categories: language, social justice

Tags: poverty, rhetoric