Our use of labels in language can divide and separate us from each other on the basis of age, sex, occupation, social standing, customs and behaviour. There are terms of speech that can be used to discriminate against others who belong to a different religion, class or nationality. It seems that these divisions run deep in our society for these terms to be part of such common everyday language. |
Some common terms relate to children, teenagers, women and racial groups. For example:
What is our use of language reflecting about our relationships with others?
We wouldn’t use these terms on people whom we loved and cared for, and it shows that in truth there is no true love in our heart for others if we only apply that word to a certain few and not everyone. For some of us we hear these terms first in the family and these derogatory terms get handed down. Others are coined by new trends in society, and/or our peers.
The word love can also be used to justify abusive behaviour, for example ‘I love you’ and therefore I have the right to be able to abuse you with thoughts, criticism, anger, controlling behaviour.
If we espouse equality as a value to be lived in our everyday lives, then we have a responsibility to use language that is inclusive and respectful of others. When we treat everyone as equal members of a one humanity and use words to confirm our innate value, we begin to understand that in truth we are all one family.
And there is more!
Apart from the spoken words that are used to judge or denigrate another, there is the unspoken language that we also communicate – our thoughts and reactions.
I have come to the realisation that any thought that I hold of another that is not loving is abuse.
Critical thoughts of others or our self are often the inner dialogue. And therefore, abuse is not only physical, not only in the spoken word, which can hurt more than physical abuse, but in our thoughts and intentions – the silent hidden put-down that we think no-one else can feel.
Everything is energy, every word and thought contributes to a love bank or a hate bank of consciousness on the planet.
It is sobering to reflect on what part I have played in building a hate bank or a love bank. For example, thoughts of comparison or jealousy are filling the hate bank. Thoughts of acceptance, understanding, compassion and appreciation build the love bank.
When I am connected to my inner heart, I can feel the connection with the all, and I know that in essence we are all the same, from the same source.
Oneness is the name of this bank.
Derogatory thoughts or labels in language have no place here.
Bernadette C., Australia
If you enjoyed this article you may also like to read:
Entitled to be Human
- If we are averse to children the term ‘ankle-biters’ serves to voice annoyance at their demands.
- When as a child we hurt another and they cry they are a ‘cry-baby’.
- If a boy shows his sensitivity, he is labelled a ‘girl’ or a ‘sissy’.
- We have terms for boisterous teenagers driving fast, they are ‘hoons’.
- In Australia and New Zealand anyone we judge as being uncool according to our particular type of conformity are ‘bogans’. A bogan is someone whom we consider unrefined or unsophisticated.
- The intent to insult another or prove our superiority can be accomplished by resorting to the use of slang. Slurs directed towards marginalised racial groups, such as the terms ‘wogs’ and ‘chinks’ express contempt and hatred.
- Women are particular targets for vilification expressed in language. The words nymphomaniac, spinster, slut, mole, town bike all serve to judge a woman by her perceived behaviour, and conveniently free us of any responsibility to look at our own behaviour, judgement and superior stance.
What is our use of language reflecting about our relationships with others?
We wouldn’t use these terms on people whom we loved and cared for, and it shows that in truth there is no true love in our heart for others if we only apply that word to a certain few and not everyone. For some of us we hear these terms first in the family and these derogatory terms get handed down. Others are coined by new trends in society, and/or our peers.
The word love can also be used to justify abusive behaviour, for example ‘I love you’ and therefore I have the right to be able to abuse you with thoughts, criticism, anger, controlling behaviour.
If we espouse equality as a value to be lived in our everyday lives, then we have a responsibility to use language that is inclusive and respectful of others. When we treat everyone as equal members of a one humanity and use words to confirm our innate value, we begin to understand that in truth we are all one family.
And there is more!
Apart from the spoken words that are used to judge or denigrate another, there is the unspoken language that we also communicate – our thoughts and reactions.
I have come to the realisation that any thought that I hold of another that is not loving is abuse.
Critical thoughts of others or our self are often the inner dialogue. And therefore, abuse is not only physical, not only in the spoken word, which can hurt more than physical abuse, but in our thoughts and intentions – the silent hidden put-down that we think no-one else can feel.
Everything is energy, every word and thought contributes to a love bank or a hate bank of consciousness on the planet.
It is sobering to reflect on what part I have played in building a hate bank or a love bank. For example, thoughts of comparison or jealousy are filling the hate bank. Thoughts of acceptance, understanding, compassion and appreciation build the love bank.
When I am connected to my inner heart, I can feel the connection with the all, and I know that in essence we are all the same, from the same source.
Oneness is the name of this bank.
Derogatory thoughts or labels in language have no place here.
Bernadette C., Australia
If you enjoyed this article you may also like to read:
Entitled to be Human