Words are just words and as we all know. They are made up of a few letters which are alphabetical symbols and when combined in a certain arrangement, help to convey a thought, meaning or concept.
However, with our human emotions, mental defenses and previously formulated and fixed opinions, well some words can sting like a lash. They can and do stir up anger, rage and resentment. But they’re still only words, not sticks and stones.
And the reason I bring this up is because of certain words, dear reader, I’m losing some friends these days.
It seems to be a generally accepted and politically correct idea that a certain collection of what are thought of as volatile and dangerous words should not be spoken, written or even thought of in our modern society.
When I even attempt to lightly touch on this taboo subject with people I know and like, I tend to get cut off and silenced.
How surprising to see this in our current so called advanced and enlightened age.
I could go on in great detail about our first amendment rights, liberties and freedoms. I could mention our democratic society where opposing opinions are supposed to be accepted for examination and open debate. But sadly, I’m afraid that these standards no longer apply.
Some groups of late have been going to the extent of tearing down statues and attempting to rewrite history as well as inventing new words more fitting to their personal agenda and ideology.
I myself think that with the general public’s overall silence and refusal to confront and challenge the validity of some of these movements and their destructive pressure methods that it’s akin to waving a white flag. It seems like the surrender of the majority to the tyranny of the few.
But how and why, we should ask, has all this come about?
Has something monumental happened to radically alter our path of human advancement, survival and pursuit of happiness? Have our stars suddenly turned against us? And, dare we say, have we begun to devolve and self-destruct as a society and as a species?
I know these are weighty questions both shocking and disturbing and, in a way, I can see how people may not want to delve deeply into them. So many, it would seem, would much prefer to concentrate on their everyday local events, family, work and such.
What they see on the evening TV news of the world at large may well seem much too unreal to them.
So, what specific dreadful and unmentionable words terms and phrases should we dispense with and totally ban according to some of the latest breaking news?
Well, the list should include - Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, War Crimes, Apartheid and Famine.
These very words were just recently included on a list given to the New York Times by the Israeli government suggesting that they not be mentioned by their reporters in documenting the ongoing conflict in Gaza,
I know and agree that it’s not easy and comfortable to engage in such harsh and raw conversation.
Neither is it polite and pleasant to discuss war and especially world war three. But avoiding, denying and nullifying these horrors is not going to make them cease and desist.
You know that if your kid misbehaves that it’s easy to take control, talk sense to him and straighten the matter out.
And if two adults get into a nasty conflict then we have law enforcement to intervene and bring order.
I believe we should also have an international mediator to intercede and rule over belligerent nation states and governments when things get out of hand.
It should have the authority to restore order and preserve the peace as the United Nations is supposed to, but is so lacking in their responsibility.
As a court system might impose a restraining order on two feuding adults, such an international body should clamp down on unacceptable force, violence and destruction.
Shouldn’t we as individual citizens of neighboring sovereign countries have the right to expect others be treated fairly with the respect and dignity they deserve?
And shouldn’t we have the right to expect a safe and hopeful future free of the nightmare of nuclear destruction?
This, to me, is more important than the loss of a few friends over unspeakable words.
Dan is at danhughoconnor@gmail.com