One of me pet peeves is the phrase "raising awareness'. In almost every case, the word "awareness" is used in place of "education". For instance, an organization might try to "raise awareness" of the dangers of drunk driving. What they really mean is that they want to educate people about all the problems that drunk driving could bring you. I think pretty much everyone is already aware of the problem. Some simply haven't been convinced yet to change their ways. I just think that the word "awareness" has been twisted a lot from its original meaning. For instance, right now I am looking after my baby while typing this message. I am aware of what he is doing and where he is in the room at all times. That is what to be aware means. If someone wanted me to know the latest in child rearing techniques, they would be educating me about them, not "raising my awareness". Perhaps others disagree, but that phrase really bugs me.
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
No, don't you see that those that are not in agreement with whatever the issue is simply need to have their eyes opened and made aware of things as they "really" are? Once your eyes have been opened, your awareness will have been raised and you will behave the way you should behave...
"National Month of Awareness for Raising Awareness"
Yes. There are many concepts and words in our language that are quickly turning into nothing but meaningless cliches. Particularly when the definition of the word starts to change to mean the cliche itself. Aware used to mean things like being vigilant and watchful... now it is being defined as having knowledge or being informed... or one that gets missed in the cliche... being sophisticated... Lovely, huh?
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
I think you've hit the heart of the issue, Cat. Those who hold such events are frequently convinced that if people would just see the same facts they do that they would believe the way they do. That's why homosexuals, for instance, constantly talk about raising awareness. At least I'm honest enough with myself to realize that, faced with the same facts, others aren't going to believe the same way I do.
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
Such a PC term. If I don't agree with gay marriage, gun control, the anti war movement, etc then I need some sort of Awareness Week or Awareness Seminar to re-program me. Big Brother is Watching....
