Is the word "liberal" used properly in the following paragraph?
My school is very liberal. In fact, some of the English teachers in my school gave a student an E for using Donald trump as an example to their essay.
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An E is a good grade or a bad grade?– AndrewCommented Apr 5, 2017 at 14:57
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@Andrew - a bad grade.– user31264Commented Apr 5, 2017 at 14:58
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Ah ok. An E would not be familiar in the US.– AndrewCommented Apr 5, 2017 at 15:02
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@user31264 If you changed E -> F, I think everyone would understand you without substantially changing the quote.– SteveESCommented Apr 5, 2017 at 15:14
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1This is actually quite an interesting question, as it counterpoints the two different meanings of liberal.– JavaLatteCommented Apr 5, 2017 at 18:20
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2 Answers
Yes it is. It is using "liberal" as an adjective to modify "school". The meaning is in the sense of a political viewpoint that is accepting of and respects other people's ideas and behaviour, even if they differ from their own.
Donald Trump is an example of a conservative, and is often seen as being the opposite of a liberal, strongly opposing liberalism. Therefore, those with a liberal viewpoint tend to dislike him.
While the act of "punishment" described is not liberal, someone may be described as "liberal" without being liberal in all things. They may see themselves as promoting "liberalism" by criticising/marginalising Donald Trump. The actions of someone who is liberal may not all be considered liberal, especially if it is in opposition to something or someone illiberal. For example, a liberal might espouse freedom of speech as an inalienable right, but strongly criticise, or even attempt to silence someone for saying something racist or homophobic.
Additionally, if this was meant as a joke, the dichotomy of a "liberal" doing something "illiberal" would be what made it funny.
Alternatively, the "school" could refer to the school authorities, which are being liberal in allowing their teachers to grade essays however they want.
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Isn't giving students low grades for their perceived political views constitute something opposite of "accepting of and respects other people's ideas and behaviour"? Commented Apr 5, 2017 at 14:57
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@user31264 yes definitely but by "liberal" you might mean "liberal bias".– AndrewCommented Apr 5, 2017 at 15:04
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@user31264 Yes, you are correct, the action of "punishment" described is not liberal. However, someone may be described as "liberal" without being liberal in all things. They may see themselves as promoting "liberalism" by criticising Donald Trump.– SteveESCommented Apr 5, 2017 at 15:08
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@user31264 Also, if this was meant as a joke, the fact that the action of the teachers was not liberal would be the thing making it funny.– SteveESCommented Apr 5, 2017 at 15:10
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The word liberal is used correctly here that is fine.
However, "using Donald trump as an example to their essay" should be "using Donald trump as an example for their essay.
