Assumption Quote by Kay Redfield Jamison
“The assumption that rigidly rejecting words and phrases that have existed for centuries will have much impact on public attitudes is rather dubious.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The New York Times, “Language and Stigma”, 2019
The claim that banning long‑standing words will meaning change public opinion is questionable.
In simple terms: Banning old words likely won’t shift attitudes.
Key Takeaway
Question the effectiveness of word bans.
Themes
language
politics
social change
censorship
culture
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
critical
observational
When to use this quote
- media commentary
- policy debates
- education curricula
- online moderation
Key Concepts
semantic shift
public perception
political correctness
Questions to Reflect On
- Is changing language enough to change thought?
- What alternatives better address stigma?
A Different Perspective
Words alone rarely reshape deep‑seated beliefs.
![“...even though [my psychiatrist] understood mor than anyone how much I felt I was losing--in energy, vivacity, and originality--by taking medication, he never was seduced into losing sight of the overall perspective of how costly, damaging, and life threatening my illness was. He was at ease with…” quote by Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/57f/kay-redfield-jamison-1826_life_even-though-my-psychiatrist-understood-m_3399.jpg)
