Language is an ever-evolving communication tool, an abstract and symbolic system which sets us apart from other cultures. I’m glad that our complex and interesting language continues to grow–in spite of a near-universal fascination with 140-character Twitter messages.
There are some ‘evolutions’ that I could do without, however.
I don’t favor the lightning-quick appropriation (or more aptly, the mis-appropriation) of certain words that generally hold a great deal of innate cultural meaning. There are many recent examples of important words whose meanings have been altered, toned-down, cranked-up, or completely upended. Here are just a few examples of words that one can no longer depend upon a traditional definition for: “marriage”, “free”, “conservative”, and now, “forgiveness”.
The local pop radio station ran an ad this morning for the Student Debt Relief Organization’s “loan forgiveness” program. It was repeated every break, lest you miss it—and it is beyond the pale for those of us on the thinking side of the human spectrum.
The ad calls for those individuals who have $10,000 or more in student loan debt to make an immediate phone call to determine if they qualify for “loan forgiveness”, which is explained as having “some” or “all of your debt” erased. Gone. No need to pay it back. The radio ad continues with a killer statement: if you have unpaid student loan debt *and* you are currently a teacher or a non-profit worker, (you are the chosen ones!), so call now and see if you qualify!
Poof! New meaning! “Forgiveness” means never having to say you’re sorry pay back your loans, if you qualify.
See what just happened there? Those progressives are crafty, broadcasting this two-part, subtle message. First, having been a student, I can attest that nearly all students are in debt just by crossing the threshold of their first class. Ten thousand bucks is a low bar, as most students are in debt much more than that. Second, and here’s the important part: If they study to become a teacher or otherwise “give back to their community” by living up to some progressive liberal ideal, at least according to this ad, they may not have to pay back some or all of those thousands of dollars in loans.
Aahh, forgiveness and overt societal approval of a life choice in one phonecall! (Sounds like a millenial’s dream, but that is another post.)
Just as a quick reference, here’s the formal definition of forgiveness, courtesy of Merriam Webster: “the act of ending anger at”. Yes, “ending anger at”. No mention of “not paying back your student loans”. Now, the new definition, courtesy of the Student Debt Relief organization (“SDR”), in conformance with the Obama Student Loan Forgiveness Program: “the cancellation of a loan’s remaining balance or portion of a balance”.
Before we get too far, I fully recognize that loan forgiveness is a term that has been used in the past in reference to a practice by for-profit financial lenders, *not* government-backed entities or federal programs managing student loans. But in the SDR iteration, (and in today’s political climate), “loan forgiveness happens when the forgiving party determines that the borrower has given back to the community in a way they’ve specified, like through teaching or public service.” The progressive liberals at SDR have altered the definition of forgiveness, but more importantly, they have politicized it, in one nice package. After all, it sounds like a lovely program—teachers get their loans paid off! They “give back to their community.” Who could be against that, right?
My first question, reminiscent of Neil Cavuto’s question last week to a vocal and idiotic proponent of free college education: “who’s going to pay for this”? Well, the SDR has no answers for that on their website, but since most student loans are government-backed and there is such a thing as a federal program colloquially called “Obama Student Loan Forgiveness Program”, I can make an educated guess. So can you.
It seems that progressive liberals have again purposefully twisted the meaning of a word to fit into their deranged world view, all the while pushing that progressive agenda under the feel-good idea of free (or reduced price) education for teachers, or for others who are deemed to have “given back”.
I’d like to ask the readers: Is it true that in the minds of these determined word-appropriators, that borrowing money from someone for the purpose of obtaining a higher education is now analogous to “causing anger”, which can only be “repaid” if the lender “forgives”?! Is it even forgiveness if it is conditional—that the borrower must become a teacher, community organizer, or otherwise somehow embody a ridiculous leftist ideal in order to obtain that forgiveness?
What if the borrower decides to open a small, for-profit business selling doggie sweaters, or open a medical supply company, or do tax returns for a living? Those occupations might actually turn a profit, be union-free, and be self-sustaining! It seems that the SDR and the Obama Student Loan Forgiveness Program exist only to help those who would receive compensation from government or non-profit entities. You’re out of luck by working at a profit-based entity, you horrible capitalist. You’re not “giving back”. You’re not “forgiven” for that!
Who would have thought that one word could hold so much meaning? Words DO mean something, as the progressives clearly understand and use to their benefit. We conservatives need to be more vigilant when this leftward verbal spiral continues to drag, distort, or otherwise destroy the meanings of words. It alters more than just the language.
I’d be willing to forgive the progressives if they stopped here, but they won’t.