Words matter. What you say, how you say it and how it is interpreted matters. When you send words out into the world, they make an impression, even if only for a moment. Words are powerful, and left unspoken, can be just as important, driving the narrative to how we view the world and, in return, are viewed.
With the power to communicate to the world at the tip of our fingertips and the ability to hide behind anonymity, words are often labeled meaningless. Why? Because we don’t want to face the consequence that what we say matters. But it does; words matter.
Another mass murder – this time, a targeted shooting aimed at a newspaper I once worked with, had me at a complete loss of words. What can you say in light of another recurring, senseless tragedy?
Thoughts and prayers?
In a time when compassion and thoughtfulness is needed most, why have we made those words so absurd?
The phrase “thoughts and prayers” has become so politicized that it now seems inappropriate to say when you mean it most. It is thrown out halfheartedly by those seeking to use those words as a gain in their political standing, a good PR move. The meaning gets lost when the words are recycled with each new tragedy and there is no action of compassion to back them up. These words matter, even at polarizing ends.
All words matter
The early findings on the shooter create a narrative that the words printed about him by this newspaper were much to his dismay. After failed lawsuits and angry social media tirade, he decided to take action and in result, ended the lives of 5 individuals.
Five individuals lost their lives for showing up to do their job that day, using words that those in their profession do to report on the news in their community. In light of the continued attacks on journalists and their credibility, reporters and writers, editors and publishers, bloggers and critics alike, use words to shape the narrative of our society, use words to report on events and happenings in this world because we want to know what is going on around us. Their words matter.
The words used to describe this tragedy, the school shootings and other mass murders, now, and in the months to come, matter. The President uses rhetoric implying that the media is “the enemy” and the “greatest threat to the country”. His words matter. The students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High’s speak out and plead for someone to listen and to affect change. Their words matter. A politician’s auto-piloted response “my thoughts and prayers go out to [insert latest tragedy]’s family and community.” These words matter, even when they don’t directly appear to.
To be clear, I am not trying to point fingers or shift blame to one side of the other. I am not debating the first amendment, gun control, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, etc. I am merely stating that words matter and how they get interpreted, twisted, used as fuel to fan the embers of hate, matter. We need to be accountable for the words that we use and think about how they are shaping our narrative.
More than words
As a mom with two very impressionable little ones I have to constantly watch what I say in front of them. It’s not just the occasional four letter words that need to be avoided. It’s the inner voice, the self demeaning words that often come out of frustration that need to be watched out for. It’s the anger that comes from feeling helpless in a world seemingly filled with so much hate, ignorance and the complete disregard of common decency and respect for one another. I need to be careful with the words that I choose to say in front of my children as they are the words that they will remember most.
It can’t always be sunshine and roses (or fairies and princess dresses). Times are tough, there are lots of discussions that need to be had, words to be said. You can’t shy away from voicing your opinion and sharing your beliefs, nor should you. But you do need to understand that what you say and how you say it matters. As my mother always said,
Think before you speak, you never know who may be listening.
It’s time to listen, not only to each other but to the words that are coming from our own mouth. We have to be accountable for what we say, whether we are elected officials, reporters or even parents speaking in front of our children. Our words matter, we are shaping the narrative for the future.
