The Power of Language

In the 1930’s, when world audiences were asked to name the capital of the U.S.A., one answer was high on the list: “Hollywood.” That was the location listed at the end of every amazing movie: “Made In Hollywood.” How could such magic not come from America’s capital?

Such is the power of a single word.

That power has not diminished but only increased with an ADD, multi-channel, hyperactive media-centric world. The silver screen has long given us immortal dialogue which now blends so deeply into the culture that people may not know their origin, but we know the meaning. A wise man I know said, “Image creates perception, perception creates reality.” It couldn’t be more true in the film business.

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In a media-centric world, from motion pictures to internet to phones, we are pounded with images, forming our perceptions and then creating our reality. How fast did the Internet meme “Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys” become a daily reference at the coffee klatch, in your email, or on phone calls? Not long. We forget how powerful words can be when written in a clever and pithy way. The masters of dialogue like Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond, and the Epstein brothers, knew irreverent and immortal lines. And as producers, writers or just Americans who appreciate a good, nimble turn of a phrase, we should excel at creating phrases that demonstrate the values we hold dear. Don’t understand? “What we have here is a failure to communicate!”

Why bother? Movies (and other media) create the Culture. Culture creates America. America creates the world. When we talk media and politics, this nimble phrase can radiate far and wide. Great dialogue resonates in our brains for weeks, months, even years. Our own snappy comebacks to important values issues can demonstrate a better point of view, an attitude and an insight. Of course, you could use radical phrases like, “I love America” and “I’m against terrorism,” but write up your own snappy comebacks on issues and policy to share with friends. As human beings, we remember great Moments. Movies create moments. Great dialogue reminds of those moments and their images. And great lines can change minds.

We cannot forget the line, used by recent Tea Party groups, “I’m as mad as hell, I’m not going to take it anymore.” And in political theater, who uttered the line, “There you go again”? Ronald Reagan in the debate with Jimmy Carter. It pounded Carter on national TV. Reagan was the President who best understood the nexus of the Power of Media and the Power of Strength when confronting enemies like Soviet International Socialism. Reagan knew from his long career in radio, films, television, and public speaking that people longed for memorable phrases by which to guide their lives. The simpler, the better – easier to remember, easier to repeat, easier to live by. Why else are words of wisdom from great books and the Ten Commandments short and to the point?

So what does this have to do with any of us? The genius of the American people is self-evident. No society on earth has created such a robust population, teeming with energy and creating a vast marketplace of ideas. When talking with friends, family or working in the media world, each of us can create dialogue that spreads our values and our message about the troops, our country, and more. I saw a TV show one day where some actress proclaimed that a man who tried to sexually assault her was either a “pervert or Clarence Thomas.” A few words and this image becomes a perception that morphs into a reality for millions (or in the case of this show), thousands of viewers about this noble Justice. When Homeland Security head Janet Napolitano reframes terrorism into “Man Caused Disaster,” she’s putting auto exhaust sparks that accidentally caused a thousand acre fire on the same level as planes slamming into buildings of innocent Americans. “The greatest trick the devil every played was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”

Words everywhere matter. “You want answers? I want the truth! You can’t handle the truth!” Words are weapons. When you refer to China, use the term, “Socialist Left-wing dictatorship.” The prisoners in Chinese gulags, persecuted Christians and political dissidents will attest to that. If somebody mentions “Religious Right,” then counter with “Atheist Left.” It’s never “Gun Control” but “Second Amendment Civil Rights.” Newspapers are infected with political correctness. “Islamic rioters in France” are “disaffected youth,” according to some reporters. Does “cheese eating surrender monkeys” come to mind?

Whenever I’m given an application or form with boxes for “Race,” I check “Other:________” and write one word.

“Human.”

“Human,” Hollywood…single words can be powerful. Revolutionary. Watch the words you use in your everyday life and in your work to reflect the values we hold dear about Freedom and America. There’s great tradition in snappy comebacks and immortal phrases to change the culture, America, and the world. Words are our First Freedom, but everyday we have to ask ourselves…

“Is it safe?”