Attorneys, of course, must master the language of class identity to practice the art of advocacy. The explicit hostility of what some call “class warfare” can usually be avoided. I am always interested in what trial lawyers say in court to drive a wedge between their client and the opposing party. The possibilities are endlessly creative. This language is carefully practiced in every courtroom comment from opening of court until verdict. One of the masters of this “art” is Gerry Spence. See http://www.gerryspence.com . Mr. Spence needs no introduction to attorneys due to his reputation. Has the current economic depression altered the language of class? Are we now in the post-Spence era?
Certainly, we live in a period of corporate distrust caused by the financial and banking collapse and bailout. Identities like “banker”, ‘broker”, and “lender” have negative connotations for what were neutral words. The vocabulary of the “new” era is yet to develop.
Mastery and acceptance of this language will control the future of politics, finance, class, and the law. Thus far, the advocates of the status quo control the “game” since no new vocabulary words seem to be “in play”.
