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

Language, Power and Discourse of SexualityFoucault asks What are the links between these discourses, these effects of power, and the pleasures that were invested by them? (Foucault, 11). In the case of New jersey governor it seems spend a penny that power, language and pleasure were very much related in his speech on August 13, 2004, in which he announced his resig ground, that he had had an affair with a man, and that he was a gay American. A man in a position of power was both given power and gave power to the general universal with his announcement. Consequently he opened up a multiplicity of discourses on the matter ranging from the true reason for his resignation, to the true meaning of the word Gay, to the effects that his approach out 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 good links between discourse, power and pleasure.McGreevey exer cises 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 New Jersey and the American public. He asks for the audience 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 live in the greatest nation with the tradition of civil liberties, the greatest tradition of civil liberties in the world, in a country which provides so much to its people the audience feels a shame for him. This statement is a direct call for forgiveness and sympathy, even before they have heard the whole 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 report of Sexuality, Volume I An Introduction.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 Governor 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 hero in gay community. New York Daily News Friday, August 13th, 2004.