In China, strict internet censorship makes it hard for people to talk about forbidden topics online. To get around this issue, bloggers have come up with a clever tactic: using puns and words that sound similar to discuss sensitive subjects. This idea started with the term “grass-mud horse” (草泥马), which sounds like a dirty insult in Chinese. At first, people used it to mock the government for blocking offensive content. However, it has since become a symbol of defiance.
The Rise of Grass-Mud Horse
Grass-mud horse isn’t just a joke anymore; it has turned into a cultural icon. It has appeared in art, poems, and online videos, inspiring a whole new way of speaking among Chinese internet users. This “Grass-Mud Horse Lexicon” helps people talk about politically sensitive topics while avoiding censorship filters that look for banned words.
A Creative Form of Resistance
This tactic shows how powerful language can be in standing up to authority. By using humor and creativity, people in China have found a way to discuss important issues without getting caught by government surveillance. The Grass-Mud Horse Lexicon is a great example of how people can resist censorship in smart and funny ways.
According to sources like Freedom House and Citizen Lab, these linguistic codes demonstrate the growing frustration among the Chinese population with strict internet controls. This clever use of language allows people to speak freely, even in a heavily monitored online environment.
This tactic is from Tactical Technology Collective’s original 10 Tactics Unstitched. For more information, explore informationactivism.org or tacticaltech.org.
From the Grass-Mud Horse tactic, we learn the importance of creativity in communication, especially under oppressive conditions. This strategy illustrates how individuals can navigate censorship by using puns and linguistic play to discuss sensitive topics. Such adaptability can apply in various contexts, like political activism or even corporate environments where certain discussions may be restricted. However, practitioners should consider potential risks, such as misinterpretation or backlash from authorities. Balancing cleverness with clarity is essential to ensure the message is understood without compromising safety.
New Tactics in Human Rights does not advocate for or endorse specific tactics, policies or issues.
