Power of Words

Wow, I just read an article about the new sex ed curriculum in Ontario. More specifically, it focused on the backlash against it. And as much as the article tried to be straightforward and present the facts, it is the comments following the article that blew me away.

Holy moly.

It boggles my mind where these people come from, but they insist on getting their message heard. More often than not, grammar, spelling, and a logical flow to the ideas presented are far from present. Negative thoughts are tossed back and forth in a poisonous mire of hate. Whomever can put the other person down loud enough walks away smugly as the victor, whether their argument is valid or not.

I don’t want to introduce a maelstrom of hate here, but it just affronts my sensibilities when people think that their point can be put across in such an atrocious manner—whatever the issue. You see these negative messages on newspaper articles, YouTube videos; websites anywhere that have a comment box for people to be hurtful. Why?

There are bigger issues in the world and better ways to debate them, than through mudslinging and name calling. Thousands of people have died in Nepal after an earthquake ravaged the poor country. Outpourings of support have been manifold. The world has come to a people in need and it is heartwarming. Spreading the message, the word, through positive means is bringing much-needed support to a crippled nation. People want to help and are digging deep to provide it.

Across the world a black man died in police custody. People have rightfully questioned the circumstances and surrounded the family with support in their time of loss. But others have taken advantage of the situation to loot and pillage a community for no reason other than to benefit themselves. A state of emergency has been declared and the community is frightened for its safety. Businesses have lost products, their brick and mortar locations, and their sense of security, not to mention a sense of community. Lest we forget, a young man also lost his life. It’s a nightmare, created via anger, injustice, hate, and probably a heck of a lot of misunderstanding. I feel for this community, as well.

Again though, I ask why?

If we have issue with someone or something, is it not better to voice those concerns in a logical manner? Am I naive to think the power of the word is dead? I realize that sometimes those words get lost and have to be repeated, sometimes even repeated with strikes and protests til the message is heard, but I just don’t feel that violence, whether it be physical or via verbal attack, can solve an issue. In Baltimore, peaceful protests were planned, but those protests were hijacked by violence. How does anyone win in that situation? Anger, resentment and a whole host of other issues flare and continue to separate sides. Does it have to take a tragedy to change that?

I offer a prayer of peace to these hurting communities around the globe. I hope they can find the justice they seek, but do it in a manner which doesn’t hurt others in the process. I wish people would realize that their words are powerful things which can inspire hope, love, understanding, support and change when taken the time to be presented in positive light. It seems we could use a little light right about now.