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Offensive phrases too common in daily conversation |
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Tuesday, 11 September 2007 |
The band Relient K said, “I’ve never broke a bone with a stone or a stick, but I can conjure up a phrase that will cut you to the quick.”
We all know the words that cause our blood to boil. In some cases, it’s not what you say as much as
how you say it.
Sometimes it seems like everything would be easier if we could all agree. But we can’t. As individuals we all bring our own meanings to words. Some argue that keeping individuals from expressing themselves in whatever manner they choose is a form of censorship.
Where is the line between freedom of speech and respect for others?
It seems to me that respecting others takes precedent in most
situations. And if it’s not disrespect, it’s just ignorance or lack of
attention.
That is where I fail. When something does not go my way, I am quick to
say “that’s retarded.” I really do not think about, it’s just something
you say.
However, in reality that phrase can be extremely offensive. My mother’s
sister is mentally handicapped, so you would think I would know better.
There are words that are obviously offensive, words that I wouldn’t say
for fear that my mother would read this commentary and be disappointed.
What about the phrases and words that are not as obvious?
I recently attended a program based on bringing these words into the
light - words that we say but do not realize how offensive they truly
are.
For example, one that stuck out to me was ‘gypped.’ When I first looked at the paper, I didn’t recognize the word.
I was under the assumption that it was spelled ‘jipped’ – the word we
use when don’t get the wonderful bargain we were hoping for.
Gypped, the root stemming from Gypsy, alludes to stealing, swindling, or not being trustworthy.
In the program, someone in the group commented that ‘jewed’ was also used in the same way.
Similarly, we use phrases such as ‘caught red-handed,’ possibly
alluding to Native Americans. Can we really say that an entire group of
people are thieves?
Other seemingly innocent words like cakewalk, basic, easy as pie, or
even boy and girl can belittle people or make them feel that their
effort or existence is trivial.
Some others I had never heard were ‘apple’ and ‘banana’ and ‘coconut,’
referring to someone who is one race or gender physically, but whose
behaviors fit another. Can we really say there is one way to act?
Other words that I had never heard were on this list like ‘cheesecake’
referring to how attractive a woman is. Then, words that I didn’t see
as a large issue like “housewife’, or “chick.”
Even ‘honey,’ ‘dear,’ and ‘sugar’ can be offensive.
Obviously, if we avoided all of the words listed here, plus the countless others on the list, we would have nothing to say.
I am not saying that we should never use the words apple, banana, basic, simple, boy, or girl ever again.
The point I am hoping to make is that we have to watch our words and
take into consideration how it might make another person feel.
Then, on the other side, be aware that the person speaking may not think what they are saying is offensive.
In the end, it’s all about respecting the people around you.
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