Busybodies Quote by John Waters
“"Family" this and "family" that. If I had a family I'd be furious that moral busybodies are taking the perfectly good word family and using it as a code for censorship the same way "states' rights" was used to disguise racism in the mid-sixties.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2009, The Guardian, John Waters on family and censorship
He criticizes the misuse of the word “family” as a euphemism for censorship, likening it to “states’ rights” used to mask racism.
In simple terms: Family is being twisted to justify control.
Key Takeaway
Watch language and protect true meaning.
Themes
language
politics
culture
censorship
Mood
defensive
critical
concerned
Type
political
social commentary
When to use this quote
- media analysis
- public debate
- activism
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
euphemism
semantic shift
political rhetoric
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate genuine concern from coded control?
- What alternative terms could preserve the word’s original sense?
A Different Perspective
Words can be redefined, but intent matters.
![“Anyway, he's [Simon] obviously not here. Go back to what you were doing. What's the point in wasting a perfectly good brick wall when you have someone to throw against it, that's what I always say." And she [Isabelle] stalked off, back toward the bar. - City of Fallen Angels pg 188 hardcover” quote by Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/509/cassandra-clare-9_angel_anyway-he-s-simon-obviously-not-here-go_667380.jpg)
