I must confess that I had jumped to conclusions about Mr. Dunmore. I tried to half construct, half imagine the kind of personal history which might produce the kind of self-loathing evident in the article. I assumed that he had come from humble beginnings in poverty and ignorance to reach his present station in life. However, a little Internet research disclosed the error of my assumption. I discovered that he came from a rather auspicious background.
Words can be weapons.
Like fists, sticks, knives and guns, words can cause harm or be used to do good. Perhaps, Mr. Dunmore simply failed to realize the negative potential and historical baggage of the images he used in an attempt to make a point. His negligent use of words was like waving around a loaded gun with the safety off. Just as such carelessness often produces tragic outcomes, his careless repetition of stereotypes will only serve to reinforce myths and fuel invidious misconceptions. Hopefully, in the future Mr. Dunmore, as well as his editors, will avoid use of offensive cliches and recognize their potential to promote the malignant spread of ignorance.