Language, Power and Discourse of Sexuality: The case of Governor McGree

Language, Power and Discourse of SexualityFoucault asks What argon the links between these discourses, these effects of fountain, and the pleasures that were invested by them? (Foucault, 11). In the case of spick-and-span Jersey governor it seems clear that power, language and pleasure were very ofttimes related in his speech on distinguished 13, 2004, in which he announced his resignation, that he had had an affair with a man, and that he was a amusing Ameri squirt. A man in a position of power was two given power and gave power to the general public with his announcement. Consequently he opened up a multiplicity of discourses on the matter ranging from the truthful reason for his resignation, to the true meaning of the word Gay, to the effects that his coming turn up would have on the gay community. The case of governor McGreevey showed how language can be powerful, helpful and harming all at the same time, furthering Foucaults suggestion of squiffy links between discours e, power and pleasure.McGreevey exercises a great deal of power in choosing the things that he says in his speech and even the ways that he says them. He uses his words to benefit him. The majority of the speech sounds like a plea to the people of saucily Jersey and the American public. He asks for the earshot to sympathize by speaking of his struggle and confusion. So, when McGreevey says, And so my truth is that I am a gay American. And I am blessed to support in the greatest nation with the usage of civil liberties, the greatest tradition of civil liberties in the world, in a country which provides so some(prenominal) to its people the audience feels a pathos for him. This statement is a acquit call for forgiveness and sympathy, even before they have heard the alone case. It calls for the American ... ...ew Hampshire University Press of New England, 1996. 119-143.Foucault, Michel. We Other Victorians and The Repressive Hypothesis.The History of Sexuality, Volume I An Intr oduction.Trans. Robert Hurley. New York Vintage, 1980. 3-13, 17-49.Gendar, Alison and Standora, Leo. Govs groove no secret around town. New York Daily News Saturday, August 14th, 2004.Huffinton, Arianna. Drama of New Jersey governor teaches us that to be gay is to be normal. Ariana Online August 16, 2004Lazarus, Edward. The Issues regulator McGreeveys Resignation Raises Stigma, Acceptance, and the Difference Between Legal and Social Change. Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004McGreevey I am a gay American www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/12/mcgreevey.transcript/index.htmlSantos, Fernanda. Instant mavin in gay community. New York Daily News Friday, August 13th, 2004.