Who, if anyone, is furious?
by James Armstrong
Having previously written about the BBC’s editorial policy in relation to stigmatising language, and their refusal to consider updating their use of language related to drug and alcohol use, it was interesting to note two recent articles from The Sun and Daily Mail.
The first by The Sun reported on the introduction of a language guide by Hampshire and Isle of Wight councils.
“WOKE ADDICTS Fury as drug treatment staff banned from telling addicts to get ‘clean’ & ‘sober’ in case the words offend”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/health/32750281/woke-drug-treatment-staff-hampshire/
The second in The Daily Mail seems to be a report about The Sun’s report, with a slight variation on the headline, whereby rather than accusing the “Addicts” of being “Woke” the target is the “council chiefs”.
“Anger as 'woke' council chiefs BAN drug treatment staff from telling addicts to get 'sober' and 'clean' - because the words are not 'considerate'”
Despite conflicting views about who is being ‘woke’ in this situation, what is common across both articles is a lack of clarity about who, if anyone, is furious.
There are no signs of anyone being furious in the reporting, even the quote from Toby Young of the Free Speech Union sounded slightly more irritated than furious.
Oddly, on the same page The Sun published their article, they also accuse the BBC of being woke. Considering the BBC asserted their rights to use offensive language to us, it seems as though the BBC, The Daily Mail and The Sun are all on the same page with this one.
Language guides have become common as a tool to address stigmatised health conditions, language related to health conditions has evolved and continues to evolve. I’ve never seen one that ‘bans’ the use of specific words, they usually suggest words to avoid and alternatives that are more accurate whilst considering context and respecting self-identification. They do aim to be more ‘considerate’ to people who use, or have used drugs and alcohol, their loved ones and local communities, and to avoid causing offense, and that is a good thing.
Language used in the media also evolves. For example, The Sun appear to have evolved their own language in relation to mental health since the infamous and highly criticised “Bonkers Bruno Locked Up” headline https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC214144/. In fact, their mental health toolkit published on the 8 Jan 2024 includes a range of considerate guidance https://www.thesun.co.uk/health/25289324/mental-health-toolkit-talk-kids-signs-must-never-ignore/ and even recommends a resource from a charity called Chasing the Stigma who look like a great organisation with a mission to normalise and humanise conversations about mental health.
So, it seems what’s woke for talking about substance use is not woke for talking about mental health. Either way we’re still none the wiser about who is furious.