Words have power.
A strange thought, but true. The child rhyme “sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me” just doesn’t hold true.
As a child in Sunday school, I remember singing a song called “O Be Careful, Little Eyes.” One verse was “oh be careful little mouth what you say.” That’s an important lesson at any time, but perhaps more so now in this atmosphere of hatred and vitriol.
Early on in my newspaper career, I received a compliment from then-city editor Kimberly Weinberg.
In an employee evaluation, Kimberly said I had become the “go-to” reporter in the newsroom. I don’t remember much else about the evaluation, but that really stuck with me for a number of reasons.
First of all, my admiration for Kimberly and her no-nonsense approach to journalism made me remember what she had said. Secondly, I remember working on some very tough stories over the years, and Kimberly’s confidence in me always gave me the confidence I needed to do what I had to do.
She likely doesn’t remember saying it. Yet I won’t forget.
That’s the power of words.
Here’s another story about the power of words. Many years ago, a state legislator who is no longer in office didn’t want to talk to me for an innocuous story. He spent two minutes swearing at me and calling me names before asking if I was related to the newspaper’s publisher, because that’s obviously why I had been hired.
It takes me some time to recall the man’s name, and conjure up an image to go with it. Yet I instantly remember his vitriol.
Again, words are powerful, and so is the way you use them.
As most people nowadays, I have social media accounts. I often see people commenting on pictures or postings with hate-filled diatribes — things I can’t imagine the person would say to someone if they were face-to-face with them.
The internet seems to give people courage to voice hatred they wouldn’t normally say.
I see it every day, Democrats belittling Republicans and vice versa; people being belittled for their looks, their religion, their sexual preference and so many more things.
Has the internet created a safety net for bullies?
Bullies certainly seem to be prospering in their safe space, hidden from the eyes of the world by fake user names or accounts, free to disparage others at will.
I know I’ve read things about myself on the internet that I never knew. I’ve read that I’m actually reporter Ruth Bogdan when she’s feeling mean; that I get payoffs from people for stories; that I hate whoever — environmentalists, oil producers, community activists, religious folks, etc., etc.
We have politicians like Donald Trump, who some have called the “bully in chief,” being rude through social media and in person. I’m not pointing fingers at Republicans, by any means. We’ve all heard stories of how Hillary Clinton allegedly treated Secret Service agents.
My question to the masses is this — why do we accept it?
Maybe if we all made an effort to bring kindness back, it would make a difference. In my opinion, there’s no harm in giving it a try.
Hold open a door for someone; get that item off a top shelf at the store for a short person like me; smile; say hello; let people cross the street. It only takes a moment of your time, but that one moment might make all the difference to the recipient.
Choose your words carefully. Remember, a little bit of kindness can go a long way.
Schellhammer is the Era’s associate editor. She can be reached at marcie@bradfordera.com
