George Carlin warned us: When we ban words, we surrender freedom

Salon - May 3rd, 2025
Open on Salon

The U.S. government is reportedly directing federal agencies to remove or replace certain words from their websites, such as 'diversity,' 'equity,' 'inclusion,' 'women,' and 'LGBTQ.' This quiet erasure of language that recognizes societal inequity has raised concerns about the implications of such actions. The change is not marked by official bans or public announcements, making it an insidious shift in how issues of identity and inclusion are addressed in federal communication.

This development holds significant implications for public policy and organizational practices. Language plays a crucial role in acknowledging and addressing social issues, and its removal can make these problems invisible, effectively hindering advocacy and change. The shift is also noted by company leaders who may alter their inclusion efforts in response to perceived regulatory risks. This story underscores the importance of maintaining language that empowers marginalized groups and challenges the status quo, echoing historical efforts to control thought by controlling language.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents an engaging narrative on the topic of language censorship within federal agencies, drawing parallels to historical instances of censorship. While it effectively captures attention and addresses a timely issue, its overall quality is undermined by a lack of verifiable evidence and balanced perspectives. The absence of direct citations and primary sources weakens its factual accuracy, and the reliance on a singular viewpoint limits its balance. Despite these weaknesses, the article is well-written and addresses topics of significant public interest, with the potential to provoke meaningful discussion and debate.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article presents a compelling narrative suggesting that certain words are being systematically removed from federal agency communications. While the historical context of George Carlin's "Seven Dirty Words" routine is accurately portrayed, the current claims about federal language policies lack direct evidence. The article references a report by The New York Times but does not provide specific citations or documents to substantiate the claim that words like "diversity," "equity," and "LGBTQ" are being removed. The absence of primary sources or explicit government documentation makes it difficult to fully verify these claims. The piece is based on interpretations and anecdotal evidence rather than concrete, verifiable facts.

5
Balance

The article predominantly presents a singular perspective that criticizes the alleged removal of certain words from federal discourse. It strongly emphasizes the negative implications of this language shift without exploring alternative viewpoints or the rationale behind such actions. The piece lacks input from government representatives or policymakers who might provide a counter-narrative or explanation. This one-sided presentation could lead to an imbalanced understanding of the issue, as it does not consider potential reasons or justifications for the purported language changes.

7
Clarity

The article is well-written and maintains a coherent narrative throughout. It effectively uses language to engage the reader, employing a mix of historical context and contemporary analysis. However, the clarity is somewhat compromised by the lack of specific evidence and citations. While the article's tone is persuasive and passionate, the absence of concrete support for its claims may lead to confusion or skepticism among readers. The piece could improve clarity by providing more detailed references and evidence.

4
Source quality

The article relies heavily on a report from The New York Times but does not directly cite this source or provide links to the original content. This lack of attribution diminishes the credibility of the claims made. Additionally, the piece does not include a variety of sources or perspectives, which would enhance its reliability. The absence of direct quotes or statements from authoritative figures or organizations further weakens the article's source quality, leaving readers with an incomplete picture based on limited evidence.

3
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its methodology and sourcing. It does not clearly explain the basis for its claims or the process by which the information was gathered. Without direct citations or access to the primary sources purportedly used, readers are left without a clear understanding of how the conclusions were reached. The article could benefit from greater disclosure of the evidence supporting its assertions, as well as an explanation of any potential conflicts of interest that might influence the narrative.

Sources

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9IDwUeODEE
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohnb2yaUggk
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_dirty_words
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyBH5oNQOS0
  5. https://eyesofageneration.com/may-27-1972-george-carlin-debuts-the-infamous-7-words-sketch44-years-ago/