I chose the quote “Language is power, in ways more literal than most people think. When we speak, we exercise the power of language to transform reality. Why don’t more of us realize the connection between language and power?” by Julia Penelope because of the fact that I believe people really should notice how much of a correlation there is between the power of the tongue and power itself. Some facts about Julia, the creator of the quote, is that primarily she was part of part of an international movement of critical thinkers on lesbian and feminist issues which can be part of the reason that led toward her famous quote. Also, she taught at the University of Nebraska but her first teaching position was at the University of Georgia.
I believe the quote means that literally anything we say is connected to power, more so that the way we articulate things and how it impacts others as well as our own lives is correlated to the topic of power. We have all heard actions are stronger than words but, in this case, words are everything because of the possible things they can bring forward to reality. To me, in a more personal matter, this quote proves to me that there is strength in words and that we should really always watch the things we say, whether that be to preserve our own sanity or just to keep a respectful and careful way of living through the power of words.
I liked your last paragraph because you chose not to only discuss the power words have on others but how it can also impact someone personally. The word choice of “bring forward” in your second sentence easily expressed how words can lead to action but it won’t always do so.
I agree with your analysis of the quote and I like how you touch on the fact that a person’s words can be harmful to everybody including themselves. However, I feel that maybe you perceived the quote as a cautionary warning when it could be helpful. Instead of looking at it as “I need to watch what I say”, maybe a more positively impactful way to look at it is “What words clearly get across my message across”?
I think you interpreted the quote very well and agree with you when you say that words have power. Every day we talk to people and as they say, words hurt, but words also have the power to move and change people. I think it is a good thing that we should be aware of.