#banned words, # bossy, #the n word,
I believe the words that you use can make all the difference in getting your point across to others or tearing them apart from you. I also believe the government nor the public at large should ban speech and that the answer to “bad speech” is more “good speech”. I’m particularly concerned that the P.C police will start to enforce banning so many words that our culture will begin to just stop communicating with words and act in a violent way instead. Yet we must respect that others can be hurt by not only what we say but how we say and should therefore think before we speak. Therefore the issue of banned words is not a simple issue for me, other then to say “do unto others as you want done unto you”.
I also believe the use of certain words can be specifically offensive because of how those words were used to degrade or commit violent acts against others of a particular group, race, religion etc. For example the “N word” was used during the despicable conditions of slavery and the “K word” was used by those committing genocide against those of the Jewish faith. These words can still cause undue pain when used by others from the race or religion that hurt or killed their ancestors in the past. Therefore how do we balance the rights of “free speech” with the moral duty of respect for others. Here is a solution below. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
(1) If you can take it and with similar individuals then give it. For example if you’re with friends that say stupid/silly things and nobody gets particular offended then go for it.
(2) Comedy Acts should be prohibited entrance for the prohibition of banned words.
(3) If you are in a business situation or around others that you know might take offense to certain words then be respectful and don’t use those words around them.
(4) Understand the meaning and history of certain words and phrases before you use them.
(5) If you’re offended by certain words be open with others about those words and tell them why they hurt you. If there the type of people who continue use such words maybe it’s best to make different friends.
(6) Most importantly know that we are all human and sometimes can say the “wrong words” therefore we shouldn’t condemn a person because they occasionally slip. Unless it becomes a pattern or is said with venom we should probably let it go.