• BenLeMan@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    I like the idea of not yielding semantic authority to fascists. Like here in Germany, I’ve seen (minor) shitstorms over the phrase “to each their own” (“Jedem das Seine”) because the Nazis put that on the gate of Buchenwald concentration camp. But the principle of “suum cuique” goes way back to ancient times and is a central tenet of our legal system. So why should we let Nazis dictate what the words we use mean?

    That said, they coined a whole bunch of expressions that are rightfully frowned upon to this day and I have no issue with that kind of criticism. I’ve never felt the need to label anyone’s relationship as “racial shame,” for instance.

    Just my two cents.