#prohibation #mof #negroes #bananarepublic #jap #negroeszoen

Sometimes words can be safely put on a scale. It's not at all bad to dwell on certain terms a little longer. Because sometimes, like “Negro, ““jap, “or “Kraut, “words weigh so hard that we have to say goodbye to them. Because they hurt, or refer to a sensitive past. To the horror of whole populations, who see no evil in these words and simply see it as part of our language. Or involve it in itself and come up with examples of words that supposedly hurt them. (Because no, I really don't believe that 'white', 'cheese head' or 'white' hurt you.) All these discussions are part of the miserable cancellation culture, in which we want to delete things from the past. In which history is rewritten from a different perspective. Because there are quite a few offensive terms in the Dutch language. (Over) Sensitive? I can't judge. Inheritable? Yes. surely. Needed? Vást.

That writing from a different perspective is an excellent idea, the writing is not directly, seems to me. Multiple perspectives teach us the truth. But words in everyday language? Of course, they ultimately matter. During the riots in the Capitol and the rather messy course of events surrounding the vaccinations, the term “banana republic" was used regularly. 'It looks like a banana republic'. That is not meant positively.

From Wikipedia: “A banana republic is a popular name for a politically unstable, corrupt country that is often rich in raw materials and where coups and revolutions are the order of the day." Most often it's about Latin America, where, yes, bananas grow. Its origins lie in Honduras, where, as the story goes, the Americans bought up land to grow bananas. With so success, that they obtained political interference. Yes, dan ligt corruptie op de loer.

Volgens Wikipedia is het dus een ‘populaire benaming’, maar er zit natuurlijk volop dedain in.  Onderontwikkeld, geen weet hebbend hoe zaken op de zogenaamd correcte wijze opgelost kunnen worden. The superior-wandering Western European looking down on the state of affairs in these countries. However, the “banana republic" is still not bans, not even a debatable word. But also 'banana republic' may be put in the scales. Everyone knows exactly which countries are meant by it, everyone knows that it is far from positive, and hardly anyone knows what is currently happening in those countries. 'Third World' is now quite rightly on the list; there is also a degree of superiority in. As if those countries are really in third place.

But yes. Every country is different. Every part of the world is different. And looks at the language differently. Where in the Netherlands every word is read and weighed, these same words here in Mexico have no deeper meaning. Recently I had breakfast in La Negrita. The Black Woman. It means what it means, without underlying emotions. The sweet Negrito - black man - is popular here. It is therefore also sold in the US. Under a different name, of course, because imagine. That's where it's called Nito. It's a shame, Negrito is a beautiful and affectionate name with her logo. Not as affectionately as our own Negro kiss, who now goes through life like Buys Kiss. gosh. Even though such a boring, not-telling name. Still glad I live in a banana republic where I can just do this.

Forbidden words: from Negro kiss to... the banana republic?