"Hate speech" is perfectly normal

[Ron Green]

for young teenagers. They have moved out of fantasy thinking (Santa Claus, tooth fairy) at this age, and into a fierce independence that demands they establish their place in the world by dominating and controlling others, although of course as teenagers all they can really do is talk smack about them.

I believe the problem is that the corporate media have successfully extended the young teenager phase well into adulthood and beyond. Limbaugh, Imus, Glenn Beck and their ilk are doing nothing more than stirring the pot just as any adolescent bully would do.

What is required is adult consciousness that goes beyond independence and into interdependence. I'll bet anyone on DU would agree with the idea that all people have worth and that building and supporting connections with people different from ourselves is important. Staying stuck in teenage consciousness only ensures that people will be controlled by the Powers that Be, as consumers rather than citizens.

If any larger point comes out of the Imus flap, I hope it's that our airwaves, cables and satellites are somehow obligated to keep speech age-appropriate. Growing up is hard enough without a non-stop Junior High School environment.

[Skinner]

1. I wouldn't say it is normal. Perhaps "common" is a better word.

I don't know that many teenagers. But the small number that I do know have never engaged in any sort of hate speech, and tend to be very progressive in their views of race, gender, and sexual orientation. Moreso than my own generation, as far as I can tell.

But perhaps my nieces and nephews and their friends are not typical of teenagers. They are all very smart kids, and I'm not just saying that because I'm their proud uncle. :D

[Ron Green]

2. I'll bet your nieces and nephews are very good kids,

as mine are too. But anyone who's spent much time in a public school in past few years knows what I'm talking about. And I do think there's plenty of developmental angst at this age to support the "Lord of the Flies" syndrome.

[ananda]

3. ditto

common.. but not normal

I'm glad you said it because I was going to. Great minds..

:-))

[Ron Green]

4. Why, then, would it be common if it's not normal?

My point is that it's a developmental issue, something all kids go through with name-calling and put-downs, except for the minority of "goody-goody" types. The hope is that as adults they grow out of it, and learn to better accept people not exactly like themselves.

Your point seems to be that something not normal is common, which would indicate some kind of pathology in teenagers. Is that what you're suggesting?