A word is just that - a word. It has no power on its own, and certainly no power when spoken aloud to an empty room. It is when someone hears the word, interprets it and reacts to it that offense is taken.
So isn't the liability for offense really on the person who chose to take offense? Don't we just empower words when we react in outrage to something that really wasn't intended to be quite so important?
2007-04-12 06:55:05 · 11 answers · asked by Bush Invented the Google 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Megan: That's true, he was not. And yet... I chose not to be offended. Everyone else should too.
2007-04-12 07:19:19 · update #1
It's absolutely best to ignore the spoken word. If no one had responded to Imus' rude statement then it would let him know just how insignificant his words really are.
2007-04-12 07:03:00 · answer #1 · answered by DeborahDel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see three choices: 1) ignore it entirely, 2) offer a measured response, or 3) make a big fuss.
Depending on the situation, any of the 3 responses might be the correct one. It sounds like you are advocating choice #1 across the board, and I don't agree with that.
If we're talking about the Imus foolishness, I would pick choice 2, since choice 1 would be a tacit approval. The people going for choice 3 are making themselves look bad.
2007-04-12 14:34:37 · answer #2 · answered by KALEL 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can relate to what you are saying if it was a one-on-one argument, for example, a husband and wife. But when you are talking about someone using their public voice to insult, demean, and humiliate a group of people, that didn't do anything in the slightest to derserve it, it's just wrong! In the Imus case, he was not in an empty room!
2007-04-12 14:10:50 · answer #3 · answered by Petrushka's Ghost 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
true ... what makes you angry controls you is an old adage.
but do some of the actions and ideas those words represent demand outrage? do we empower the abusers by "letting it slide" or should we respond (vs. just reacting)?
2007-04-12 14:01:43 · answer #4 · answered by ... 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, if you get offended by a word, then you've given that word power over you
2007-04-12 14:00:29 · answer #5 · answered by kapute2 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It definitely empowers the perpetuation of negative stereotypes.
I cannot disagree with your premise, and only ask that this be universally applied.
2007-04-12 14:08:38 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
he who angers you, controls you.
at the same time.. words may just be words.. but there is some truth to "The pen is mightier than the sword"
2007-04-12 14:01:35 · answer #7 · answered by pip 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ONLY YOU HAVE THE POWER TO ACT ON WORDS. WORDS ARE JUST THAT WORDS.
2007-04-12 14:00:17 · answer #8 · answered by strike_eagle29 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question. It absolutely does.
The pen is mightier than the sword.....
ever hear that phrase?
2007-04-12 14:05:39 · answer #9 · answered by Eyota Xin 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
people are stupid what do you want. back when there was nothing but whites in America there was prejudice, and long after whites no longer exist there will still be prejudice.
2007-04-12 14:01:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋