I play roller derby. Derby is often times associated with symbols of violence, aggression, physical harm, sexual deviance, inappropriateness, and debauchery. Derby is a sport that symbolizes chaos and disorder in the view of general society. In my constructed reality derby symbolizes athleticism, friendship, diversity, and community. I often times have to explain how derby “really is” to others. I feel as if I have to convert them to my version of reality. The example given in the article of walking back to your dorm (I hate that word, by the way) and being unsure of who is behind you applies here. Derby is perceived to be a mugger, when in reality it’s just a good friend trying to catch up with you.
I also feel that my dislike of the word “dorm” applies to this concept of symbols, language, and perception. A dorm is perceived as being a building where college students live. A dorm is probably dirty, a dorm is rarely loved, a dorm is just for sleeping. A residence hall, however, is a place where communities are built, friendships are made, and people look out for your academics and general health. That’s why you’ll never find someone from Student Affairs calling a hall a “dorm”. In general realities “dorm” is just a term, in our reality it’s a dirty, dirty little word.
Doesn’t everyone have words that are equally misinterpreted according to their social reality?
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