Samyukta Kulkarni Week 9: Sticks and Stones
Image from MR. LOVEINSTEIN
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt” is a rhyme I often heard growing up. It serves as a reminder for children to not give power to insults or let the harsh words of others affect them. I grew up surrounded by this mentality but was never able to adopt it myself. Sure, I was able to console myself with the mantra of “they’re just jealous” but that could not take away that stinging feeling or lasting impact that some words cause.
Throughout history, dehumanizing language has been utilized as a weapon to justify violence and discrimination. By reducing minority groups to stereotypes, dehumanizing language such as slurs strips them of their individuality, making it far easier for them to be viewed as less than human. This rhetoric has succeeded in diminishing millions of lives. From the propaganda that fueled genocides to the small microaggressions sprinkled into everyday conversation, words leave a mark.
On a personal level, words have the power to amplify insecurities and vulnerabilities. A cruel insult or offhand comment can cut deep and leave a scar. Years later we still remember the sting of those words and how they made us feel. Over time, repeated exposure to malicious language can erode one’s self-esteem.
The rhyme I learned as a kid was a lie. Although I understand the intent and lesson behind it, it oversimplifies the effect that language has on mental health and suggests that language is merely a form of communication and can be nothing more. Your words have power, so use them wisely.
Hi, Samyukta! I vividly recount the first time I encountered this phrase in a graphic novel. In it, a character was being bullied, and they repeated this as a mantra to themselves to stay strong and not take the bitterness to heart. Reading this saying for the first time, I felt like I had just been enlightened, but like you, I found no way to integrate it into my life. Anytime I felt like someone had said something mean to me, I would feel taken aback and maybe even succumb to tears later while retelling the story to my sister.
ReplyDeleteYour references to history to prove that words do leave big marks, like stereotyping entire groups and even causing genocide, are really effective in refuting this saying. Like you, I agree that words can permanently damage people’s self-esteem, but believing that “words will never hurt me” still remains, for me, an idealistic way to live and a reminder to rise above others’ remarks.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading and reflecting on your blog. The structure you have employed by introducing a saying and entirely refuting it made the post especially interesting, and I look forward to reading more from you in the future!
Hi Sam! First of all I love the comic you selected for your blog: I completely relate to Mr. Pink Guy's confidence that the words of others won't cut so deeply. But like you, I could never truly be so stoic and unaffected.
ReplyDeleteThe examples you provide to argue the impact of words are effective and varied. To make your examples more effective, more specific examples may help. Overall, I love the confident and solemn tone of this blog and developed vocabulary, as well as the well-formed sentences; you don't have "fluff" words, making for a very pleasant read.
Hi Samyukta. “A man may break a word with you sir, and words are but wind” is the first thing I thought of when I read your blog. I’m glad you address the reality of the situation: that words can be the most harmful and powerful things in the world. If someone punches you in the face, you can retaliate and defend yourself. However when someone says something discomforting to you there’s not much you can really do but to let it sink in or just ignore it. And sometimes ignoring words is impossible.
ReplyDeleteI have had issues with self esteem in the past and I can say that sometimes when I reflect back the first things I remember aren’t the confrontations I had with people but rather the harmful remarks I received.
I agree that dehumanizing language has been used as a weapon, although it wasn’t really directly used as a weapon to justify violence. It is the public sentiment and common rhetoric established through these words which enabled some level of justification for violence. I’m glad you brought this up.
I appreciate you adding the image of the blog at the very beginning, because I can get a general idea of the blog through visual media before diving into the words. Your wording is nice, and the paragraph structure is fantastic for organization but also readability purposes.