Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy SOLVED! SAMPLE! #27 - Watch what you say! How weaponized language changes our reality
Nov 16, 2025
This discussion dives deep into how language shapes our perceptions and political realities. The hosts debunk the myth of 'pulling yourself up by your bootstraps,' revealing its elite-driven origins and societal impacts. They also analyze the transformation of 'political correctness' into a weapon for cultural wars, highlighting its ironic self-policing within leftist circles. Additionally, they redefine the concept of cancel culture, exploring its roots in marginalized communities and the power dynamics at play. It's a compelling exploration of words that shape our world.
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Bootstraps Myth Masks Structural Inequality
- The phrase "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" began as a joke about the impossible and became a core American myth of self-reliance.
- That evolution masks structural inequalities by framing success as purely individual effort.
Weaponized Language Reinforces Policy Harm
- Amanda argues the phrase has been weaponized to shame large groups and justify policies that reduce social supports.
- She emphasizes luck and structural advantage matter far more than the myth of pure individual effort.
Inherited Wealth Disguised As Merit
- Deon connects the bootstrap myth to inherited wealth and elite narratives of merit.
- He highlights wealthy heirs presented as self-made to sustain that mythology.