We are progressively evolving to a very “PC” world today and everyday there are numerous examples of persons or groups calling out what they have determined to be inappropriate speech. Social media has heightened this now as we can all broadcast our views and opinions with more or less reckless abandon.
As a young Christian it was instilled to me that your manner, content and delivery of speech gave pointers on your level of Christian and indeed personal maturity – for the tongue is a fire which can build or destroy lives. So I was in grave consternation to hear later that “words don’t harm” which was being peddled and even echoed in very recent artistic endeavours.
In my opinion, words have such powerful and indelible impact on our lives, society and future so for us to simply use them without the sense of responsibility and candour is negligent. Be it in written or spoken form, they convey so much for them to be disregarded as just mere words. Our word should be our bond as well as our persona.
The challenge I see today is that increasingly people are being held to account for the words, conversations and write ups they put into the public domain. Sadly, rather than recognise and address the immaturity, inappropriateness or ludicrous nature of what has been produced, some attempt to hide under the umbrella of the world has gone PC mad and freedom of speech.
No that’s just a poor cop out!
For an improved human race, we need to journey the fine line of free speech, offence, alternative facts and outright fake news better. Call it where the boundaries are crossed, be adequately tolerant and empower the truth to be told. To be more respectful of one another and use our words to build, support and encourage the best of one another.
The travesty that words don’t hurt must be addressed; from the home (whether to the partner, children, or helps) to the workplace, from the playgrounds to the fil studios, from shop floors to boardrooms and from universities to the houses of power.
“Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say infinitely when you mean very; otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.”
― C.S. Lewis
Words! What power they hold. Once they have rooted in your psyche, it is difficult to escape them. Words can shape the future of a child and destroy the existence of an adult.
Words are powerful. Be careful how you use them because once you have pronounced them, you cannot remove the scar they leave behind.”
― Vashti Quiroz-Vega
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things”
― Matthew 12:34-35.
Featured image – thebalance.com
Louis Corner 