Grammers defiantly not easy getting it right. Know what I mean? Of course you know what I mean. So what difference does it make that I didn’t begin “Grammar’s definitely not easy to get right?” Aren’t grammar nerds, you know, like editors, professors, writers, just pedantic snobs, geek bullies trying to make the rest of us look bad? In a word, no. The truth is, understanding the basics of grammar can make all the difference in the world, and our ignorance is showing.
Not long ago a pastor friend of mine found himself on the cancel culture chopping block because he had the audacity to compare Vice President Harris, who is second in command to the President, who is a female, who is bloodthirsty in her rabid defense of the murder of the unborn to a certain queen in Israel who was second in command, who was female and who was bloodthirsty in her raging hatred of the prophets of God. His crime? That’s it. He made that comparison. He was accused, however, of something far different- of calling the Vice President a Jezebel.
It is not just Christians, however, who seem to have trouble with the English language. Gina Carano actually fell under the ax, being removed from her role on The Mandalorian. Her crime? Well, before I tell you, you might want to be sure no children are in the room. She posted this on social media:
“Jews were beaten in the streets, not by Nazi soldiers but by their neighbors…. even by children.”
The actor continued to say, “Because history is edited, most people today don’t realize that to get to the point where Nazi soldiers could easily round up thousands of Jews, the government first made their own neighbors hate them simply for being Jews. How is that any different from hating someone for their political views?”
I know it’s horrible, the denigration of people’s cultures and religious identities. It’s abhorrent and unacceptable. That said, as Hollywood would say, “No people’s cultures or religious identities were harmed in the creation of this faux scandal.” There is literally nothing in the least offensive in this statement. It is the creators of the program, Lucasfilm, who apparently live in a galaxy long, long ago and far, far away where the English language is not spoken, as they are the ones saying the actress’s comments denigrate people’s cultures and religious identities, are abhorrent and unacceptable.
Somehow, it seems using the words “Jews,” “Nazis” and “hate” in a statement is enough to melt snowflakes from a thousand paces. Even if said statement condemns Nazis for hating Jews. Because, reasons.
Grammar matters. It gives actual meaning to words spoken or written. It keeps words from meaning something other than what they mean. It keeps love from being hate, freedom from being slavery and ignorance from being strength. Grammar is what keeps Big Brother at bay.
Here’s a free lesson. Comparing does not mean equating. Comparing two things is not making them into synonyms. Not when treating them as synonyms means scoring points against your ideological foes. Not when treating them like synonyms scores you virtue signal points. They are not synonyms in a boat; they’re not synonyms on a goat. They are not synonyms to a mouse; they are not synonyms in my house. They are not synonyms here nor there; they are not synonyms anywhere.
Love your grammar. She’s the one who taught you how to talk, and how to listen.