Hi Everyone,

One of the best writers in the 20th century was Eric Blair who wrote under the name of George Orwell. I highly recommend you read his essay, "Politics and the English Language," an essay that powerfully explains how language in the sphere of politics is misused and how it impacts the lives of citizens. I read it first during the Vietnam War and was amazed at how our political and military leaders used language that masked what was really going on as the U.S. continued to fight another tragic war.

Please note that the NPR report I shared with you about Islamaphobia demonstrates how language is used to brand groups (nations, culture groups, organizations) as all good or all evil.

The link here is a pdf file which contains "Politics and the English Language" and several additional essays. The essay titled "Notes on Nationalism" is relevant to the stirrings of an increasingly large number of Americans who confuse patriotism with how Orwell defines "Nationalism."

This is an optional reading assignment. If any of you do read it, please share your thoughts with me.

Link to "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell (1946)

Regards,

Sean