Thursday, October 20, 2011
The Power of Words
In today's society, many people often speak without thinking about how their words can affect others. Explain whether or not using religious, gay, or racial slurs is ever acceptable. How do we determine if using these words crosses the line and becomes offensive? Why are there so many people who still believe their freedom of speech is more important than being sensitive to others in terms of their ethnicity, race, religion, or sexuality?
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I feel that it is never acceptable to say something that is intended to hurt somebody. However, if you hear someone say something that is offensive to you, you should account for whether or not to person said it to mean harm or not. It is similar to hearing someone curse- are you truly going to be offended if you hear some say the f-bomb if it was not intended towards you? It is a completely different story if you are being intentionally called a name that is one hundred percent offensive. There is no need for someone to call somebody else a word that the person may not have control over and will hurt their feelings. People need to think before they actually speak. I myself am guilty of saying things that I may not have thought about before hand, and I am currently improving on thinking of how my words will affect others before I say anything. It is important to be conscious and aware that some things just shouldn’t be said.
People often speak without thinking about the consequences of what they say. People often use derrogitory words for different religions, races, and esxual preferences. I don't think using any of these words in a hateful way is ever right. It is especially bad when these words are directed at another person.
However, i dont think it is all that bad when used in shows like South Park in a joking manner because it is understood that the words are not used in a hateful way.
Also, when it comes to the use of the "N" word in book like Huck Finn i think that the word should be used to accuratley depict that time period and show what blacks experiences.
Although some people argue for freedom of speech, they should not abuse this freedom. For examople, you are free to say what you want but if you threaten to kill someone then that is a crime. it is a similar idea with racial slurs although you are free to express what you want you should not be saying derogatory things.
In society, I would never think that saying gay and racial slurs in public is acceptable. People have feelings, and you never want to hurt someone like that. People are sensitive to the topic of race and sexuiality. Sometimes, like in movies or shows it is fine, because it is used for humour. If you are offeneded, don't see the movie, they rate it R for a reason. People still believe their freedom of speech is moreimportant than anything is because everyone thinks they're all that, and don't care have the time, what people think about what they say. Overall people should not be using racial slurs, and gay slurs in public. If your going to use them, use them when no one can hear you.
I think people need to watch what they say. Racism will always be present, but to use it against others can be extremely rude. I think that if you are going make jokes which inevitably most people do in the end, you should do it when you know nobody would be offended in the area of which you said what you did. As much as it would be great to get rid of prejiduce, the way people are raised will make that impossible. It is hard to draw the line between something being ok and not because everybody reacts to racism differently. Usually the more proud somebody is of their race or religion the more easily they get offended. That is why it is important to make sure you know somebodies limits of taking critisism before saying something that may come off as too offesnive
People should not bluntly discriminate others. They should think about not only the sensitivity, but they should also think that people enjoy karma and revenge. Many people, if they are insulted or if someone insults their family or close ones, they seek revenge. People need to stop being so naive and only think that they are indestructible; that they can walk around insulting everyone without a consequence. Keep your thoughts to yourself; if you have nothing nice to say try not to say anything. Unless you are instigating a conflict, I’d keep my mouth shut.
People always say never talk about money, politics, or religion at the dinner table. Those topics always spark arguments and controversy that is unnecessary. The constitution says we have the right to free speech, but this does not mean to go around aggravating others for what your tiny brain wants to say.
The truth is, people don't usually mean what they say. I think it's okay to say certain slurs and words, as long as people around are aware that it is not to be taken seriously. In a public environment, most people will not know whether or not you're kidding. You might scream, "WOW THAT'S GAY!" and not mean that something is actually homosexual, yet someone around you might take it the wrong way. Smart people know not to do that. It's just common sense. If you're in a church, obviously you're not going to say "CRUSIFY ME!" in front of a Pastor as a joke. In the end though, if a Pastor does hear that, he must learn that it's not the end of the world and to not let it get in his way. You can't control what people say.
Nobody should ever say something rude and out of line regarding someone’s religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity. The only time I can say its appropriate is if the person is 100 percent okay with it. If not, then don’t say anything because many people take that stuff seriously. I do believe in freedom of speech to a point that doesn’t hurt peoples self esteem. Hurting someone due to their race, religion, ect is just wrong. No one likes to be judged so if you have something to say, keep it to yourself. Freedom of speech mostly refers to protesting what the gov’t officials have to say, not the general people themselves. Also freedom of speech isn’t putting people down, it’s supposed to be constructive criticism. I believe everyone should just be more aware of what they say because even if what you’re saying may not hurt your feelings, it might hurt someone else’s.
Nowadays, people are always making comments which they sometimes wish they can take back, erase, or in some way, shape or form, delete. Whether the comment is made face to face, online, texting, whatever, it is never alright to make an insulting comment towards someone. The old saying, “Treat others in a way you would like to be treated”, is a substantial, yet under rated saying which people should live by more. Not just a stupid saying you learn when you are young, it should be abided by. Also, as humans, we are equal. All things aside, when it comes to you, yourself, were all human and somewhat alike. Especially in high school, no one is necessarily better than anyone else, so who puts anybody in a position to make fun of another person. If you are making fun of someone who is a homosexual, the person making the comments doesn’t realize it’s merely a preference, they are still human. Same goes for religion; people are normally religiously affiliated based on their childhood up bringing, and their ancestry. In the end, if you have a problem with someone that is legitimate, say it in a non-offensive way.
I think that using any kind of ethnic slur against someone is never acceptable. However, many people in our society don’t actually see a problem with it and therefore we hear those horrible words everywhere. While sometimes they may not be directly focused at someone, it is still never okay to use it. I think society has in a way become immune to those words but only if they have nothing to do with them. Society as a whole has decided that your right to free speech is more important than keeping from insulting one another. While our right to speak freely is very important, the ability to be sensitive to other people is almost equal in that perspective. There is no reason to have to hurt someone else for no reason at all. I think people should stop using these terms because honestly there is no reason for it. When you say something like that it doesn’t help anyone in just hurts many innocent people.
Regardless of religion, race, and sexual orientation, people have a right to say how they feel, as long as it doesn't threaten someone else's natural rights. Organizations such as the KKK are still around, and it is completely legal. They support white power, but they do not make any threats against humanity. When people speak out on a specific race, religion, or sexuality, they tend to not pan out and give a very bias point of view.
As citizens of the United States our rights to free speech are protected. You can say what you want, think what you want, and, if true, print what you want. Overtime however, people have taken this wonderful freedom and abused it.
To say what one feels is one thing; be it an opinion or personal feeling. However, to use this freedom to put someone else down for anything, especially in the case of race, religion, or sexaulity, is not only an abuse, but is a misuse of it.
Freedom of speech was created to allow people to not fear their own thoughts and for the people to improve their nation with their constructive critisism, not to make other feels terrible about themselves for what most of the time, is out of their control.
It definiately isnt okay for people to go around using racial slurs and offend other people. Most people don't even realizing what they're saying and how it is affecting others. Become aware of what you say, you wouldnt want anyone to treat you badly and make you feel bad about yourself and who you are. everyone is born the way they are and they cannot help what they believe in, who they like, and their color. everyone has a right to be who you are but be yourself without judging and saying cruel and harmful things to even friends or strangers. it doesnt matter if you know them or not you shouldnt make anyone feel like they dont belong. every single person in this world belongs no matter what they believe in. your personalitly makes what you are and how you act, dont try to act cool in front of friends, thats not ever okay especially if you're hurting someone else's feelings.
Religious, gay or racial slurs are never acceptable. Whether or not you are using it to talk about someone or simply as a part of your speech, such as “that is so gay,” it is still offensive. Young people today utilize so many slang terms in their everyday life that many times I feel that they don’t even realize that they are making negative slurs. We are exposed to religious, racial and gay slurs in every aspect of our lives, whether you hear it on the radio, in a rap song, on the movie screen or in a classic piece of literature. Many people may say that when these type of slurs are used in a piece of work, such as a book or a movie, it is considered a piece of “art,” however, it is still discrimination. Therefore, there is no need to determine if these words cross a line and become offensive, there always offensive.
Today, we are living in a society were some people are self-centered and care more about themselves then other people’s feelings. In addition, many people in our generation have a “whatever” or “I don’t care” attitude when it comes to breaking rules or saying inappropriate things. They simple just don’t care what they say or do and whether or not it is going to hurt someone’s feelings.
People do have the right to say whatever they want even if it is crossing the line. If someone wants to say something really racist that’s there choice. But that person will be looked at as a racist now. People are responsible for themselves in determining what is crossing the line. I believe that it is perfectly ok to say certain jokes around your friends as long as you are kidding. But even if you are kidding some people could take it personal. There are definitely jokes that cross the line and offend people very easily. People just need to realize that some jokes that may be funny to them are very offense to a lot of other people.
When racial, gay, or religious slurs are never acceptable to use. However a majority of the population, mostly the younger part, uses such unacceptable slurs unintentionally. Although still inappropriate and offensive, an accidental use of a slur is not as immoral as an intentional use of the slur. If someone finds a slur offensive, the person should say something and voice their opinion so that the person who said the slur is forced to realize that the slur is not just another word to the offended person.
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