Words, a picture may say a thousand of them but one can have the power of much more than that. Our language consists of a long list of words that are offensive, derogatory, politically incorrect and even normal words can be manipulated to mean something very different from what it seems. These words cannot only slightly insult people but can truly leave scars that you might be unaware of. A few of the words said most often that are misused and abused are both the “f” words, the “r” word to describe someone who is handicapped, and the “n” word. These are only a few examples but the rest are equally as horrifying and offensive.

The two “f” words are used every day like they are an acceptable part of our language. Even in today’s society, which is more open and accepting of many ideas, should not have to face the barrage of “f” this and “f” that. When did it become ok to say that word? Never, it is still a swear word and should not be said because there is no need for it. The beautiful thing about words is that every word can be replaced with another. It’s not even difficult to do, to say “this is completely stupid” instead of “this is F-ing stupid.” The “f” word only makes you seem more childish and immature, that you are lashing out in a way that everyone will hear. Then there is the other “f” word, the one that is derogatory for a gay person. This word is offensive, it by no means should be thrown around to describe people who you do not like or people who are creating a problem. It is not a filler word, it is not a descriptor that we should comfortably resort to. What in our society has told us it is an ok thing to say this about people? Are we truly that insensitive anymore to think even on a basic level of other people?
The “n” word in all forms is offensive, as it should be. White Americans should have no problem understanding why yet it is questioned daily. The media has made jokes about this one asking “why do they get their own word? Why don’t we?” It is just a joke though and should stop there. This term was used in a way that put down the African American people and after going through all of the suppression and abuse they were put through, why is there a problem with them not wanting white people saying the word? Why do people still desire to say it? Any other term is better, African American works. If you know their name, that’s even better. Saying this word isn’t the cool thing to do, it just makes you sound insensitive and uneducated. Even if someone tells you it is ok to say, maybe they feel that way but other people may and will not.

Finally, the “r” word which actually disgusts me when I hear it because the people who it is taken from are mentally handicapped and due to this cannot make a point that is wrong. This word is used to describe anything from school assignments, to people, to politics, to inanimate objects, and daily problems. Once again I pose the question, what has made this ok? By describing things this way, are we not degrading the people facing this issue to a status lower than our own? Where in basic human rights is this ok? No one is better than any other person, we are simply different and those differences give no justifiable cause to use words that are as insulting and demoting as these. These people all have genetic issues and are some of the kindest people out there because they don’t succumb to the bad. When I hear the word used, I think of all the people in my family, in my friends families, in our school, and across the globe who are affected daily by this problem. It is a lot of people. I alone have a schizophrenic aunt, a manic depressive aunt, a cousin with Aspergers, a cousin with severe Down Syndrome, and my brother was anorexic in high school. These are all various mental illnesses which fall under the “r” word’s category. Think about it, think about how many people this affects daily and many of them you likely do not even know about.

They say ignorance is bliss, but who can live a life of that much ignorance? No one can be happy if they know how these words affect people and they are walking around public places yelling them to ring through the air leaving a trail of scars. Plus they make you seem foolish saying them, childish, immature, uncaring, inconsiderate, unprofessional, and overall disrespectful. These words are not adult words; they are simply words that should not be used.

- Brandon Hunt, senior