“Free speech” is one of the “hallowed” hallmarks of our political system. It is the basis upon which open debate rests and wrestles.
Language matters. The Pro-Choice Caucus knows this. They recently sent out to Democratic Congress members messaging materials on the Supreme Court draft related to Roe vs Wade. They suggested changes for what they labeled “Hurtful Language” to “Helpful Language.”
For instance: For Unwanted Pregnancy…Unexpected Pregnancy; For Back-Alley abortions/coat hangers—Criminalizing healthcare.
The Caucus knows language matters.
Unfortunately, too many obviously think freedom means license, forgetting that words can hurt as well as help.
I don’t know when I first heard, nor do I know where or who spoke it, “Sticks and Stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you.” That is simply not true either at the personal or corporate level. Free speech isn’t always free. Speech that is purposefully hurtful and divisive is not “free.” It costs us greatly.
Use of language to hurt is seen and heard almost daily in the political arena. Otherwise, gracious, and gentle persons weave words to smear and spear…Whether the words are “red” or “blue,” the vicious verbal attacks leave the party or community of which we are a part with a black eye and should leave our communal bodies with a bruised heart.
James scathingly warned Christians about their speech.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness (James: 37-9).
Negative words, labels, derogatory names hurt. They are meant to put us in our place, label us and set us apart from the group. They inject what James calls “deadly poison” into the world and work against the witness of God’s love for all.