The Imprint of Words Essay

What are words? A simple question such as this would in theory demand only a simple answer. Words, however, take such an abundance of forms that creating a truly inclusive definition for the notion of “words” is daunting. In its physical manifestation, a word is little more than air passing over taut tendons, forming sounds which are accented by flicks of the tongue against the teeth and roof of the mouth. These sounds are arranged in patterns that come to be recognized and accepted as words. But are these sounds all that words represent?—certainly not. Words command power. Although the defiant playground motto states that “sticks and stones may break bones, but words can never hurt,”

The old idiom, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” has been used for decades, and although a good sentiment, can be disproven by any person with an basic understanding of their feelings. The power of the words one hears can greatly affect their self esteem and confidence. The fact that words hurt is an issue everyone faces, but some words hold too much power, power that can be used in not so ideal ways. Slurs, or words that are used to oppress minority groups, are used too casually in the modern world, with grave consequences on the minorities they are used against. The word faggot, a term used to describe gay men, has become popular in modern America between school boys as a way to either mock their peers or intentionally hurt an actual queer person. This word in particular moves farther away from offensive and can be categorized as oppressive due to its both psychological and social ramifications. The use of the word faggot is an act of oppression when one looks at both the social and psychological effects the word has on both the user and the recipient of the slur.

Bullying is a controversial issue that is often dealt with on a daily basis. Bullying is not only seen as misguided and harmless actions towards another, but is also seen as a violation of human rights. Whether it is serious or not, bullying can be found just about anywhere, primarily in places such as schools and daycares. But even though many people can brush off something like bullying, this hurtful act can actually take a toll on the victim, especially since most victims are children that can easily overreact to emotional and physical harassment. These individuals are usually embarrassed, as well as intimidated from being bullied, which in turn can make them do something that they might eventually regret. In other words, children that are

As more and more children go to school, the rates of bullying go up as time goes by. there are many times at which students suffer all the bullying that occurs within their lives. As more schools become aware of the magnitude of the bullying occurring right under their noses, there are rules created to aid the victim. There are various types of bullying and these are created to do one thing, instill superiority among the “stronger” and place a feeling of inferiority. Bullies are the ones who are detrimental to a child’s development.

The essay “The Meanings of a Word” by Gloria Naylor discusses the many definitions of a word and how its meaning can change according to context and delivery. She made this point by telling a story of her childhood and the first time she heard the n-word used by a white person in a derogatory, demeaning way. She described her this situation that took place when she was in third-grade and a boy in front of her in math class called her the n-word. She had no idea what it meant to be called that in a negative way because the people she grew up around only used it as positive and empowering. At the end of her essay, she once again emphasized how easy it is to change a word into something hateful simply depending on who says it and their

In the real world people don't see words as a weapon. Instead we see it as something that is crucial for us to function in society. People don't look at the big picture and see how words really are something that can be dangerous. Zusak writes, “Blood leaked from her nose and licked at her lips. Her eyes had blackened. Cuts had opened up and a series of wounds were rising to the surface of her skin. All from words. Liesel's words” (Zusak, 253). Words are everything to humans. It doesn't matter where you are in the world, words allow you to break down that barrier that's holding you back from connecting to others. Words change lives both positively and negatively. liesel expresses, "I have hated words and i have loved them, and i hope i have made them right” (Zusak, 528). When Liesel wrote this she understood how powerful words were. She knew that a single word can impact many many people. Most people don't think about what they are going to say before they say it. it comes naturally they say what they think. picture this, what if we were able to use words to our advantage like liesel? We can we just have to think. Words are everything, they are most certainly not things that wander out of people’s mouths and have no

Have you ever been a target of an individual’s cruelty and hatred? It does not necessarily have to be physical, but more like being verbally degraded or publicly humiliated. The effects bullying can have on its victims is something that may last throughout their lives, or something that may end their life(Braithwaite, Hyde, Pope, 2010).We all are well aware of childhood bullying but as evidence shows bullying does not stop on the

Bullying is defined as the prolonged malicious act of harming peers by abusing their own--or an existing imbalance of--power, and has become one of the most common sources of trauma among adolescents. One report shows that one of three children were victims of bullying during some point in their life, and that 10-14% of all adolescents were victims of chronic bullying for at least six months prior to participating in the survey. Children who were victims of bullying are also found to be at a higher risk of diagnoses for anxiety disorders and depression during young and middle adulthood. These victims are reported to be more likely to have lower levels of general/physical health, and lower educational acquirements than young and middle-aged adults who were not bullied (Wolke & Lereya, 2015). Because bullying is such a prominent problem, citizens, policymakers, and social scientists alike, should feel or have some social and moral obligation to address, and hopefully avert bullying. The state of bullying, and how it is enacted, is constantly changing and adapting to social frameworks. Because bullies can adapt to social changes and regulations, we, as a society, should be equally adaptive in how we perceive, address, prevent, and punish bullying.

Words can build or break an individual. Growing up I was taught to keep any harmful comments to myself, nevertheless many individuals seem to have no regard of what others think or how their words can harm them. Through words Martin Luther King was able to stand up against segregation. Through words Abraham Lincoln was able to unite the nation after the civil war. Words are a powerful weapon and if used unjustly, it can be the downfall of someone or a nation. We have no right to libel, slander, or harm one another, yet when one does they say they were “voicing their opinions.” It is sad to see individuals “protesting” by breaking businesses windows, trashing the streets, harming police officers and harming other citizens. How is this voicing their opinion? Why shall one trash the streets of our nation, our home, and declare it’s freedom of speech. Like it or not we must understand that police officers and citizens who don’t see our view on things also have the right to voice their opinion. Our nation came together because of our differences; however, we gladly push someone down who doesn’t have the same mindset as

Bullying has been a problem for a very long time; however in these present times bullying is becoming an epidemic. Maybe the reason behind this is the new occurrence of social media in our society, and the new strategies used by bullies to harass there victims. In this report the topics that will be covered are why bullying is an issue to study in human development, describe three components or types of behavior in bullying that are observed by researchers. Explain how gender and sexual orientation that influence the styles of bullying, how bullying affects self-esteem and what affect does the family system have on bullying.

For example, while walking through campus as an African American and hearing people of other races say "nigger" or "nigga" to one another can be very upsetting and hurtful towards them. Hearing these repeated words all day long can really affect someone's mental and physical health. According to Psychology Today these harsh words eventually act as an aid to shut down the human brain (Fields). These words that we get implanted into our brains can ruin us so that when we hear these words we ultimately feel like we are being

“Sticks and stones may brake my bones, but words will never hurt me”, goes one old playground rhyme. We are usually taught to ignore a person who uses foul language, but everyone knows that words can really hurt a person. When someone uses hateful words against us, it can hurt just as much as a slap or a punch. When people start to use obscenities with ethnic or racial slurs, it can push some sensitive buttons. Racial slurs used in a joking manner leads to others using it in a condescending manner, which ultimately leads to violence and feelings of hatred. From my experience, racial slurs can cause the most extreme negative reactions in people.

This article shows some cruel comments that took me back to the time i was bullied. The article made me realized that i wasnt alone. there are lots of people out in the world who are being bullied and can't do anything about it. This kid name Alex Libby from the documentary “Bully,” has been having a nightmare for a long time. He’s only 12 years old but has been bullied at Sioux City, Iowa for being called “fish face.” Alex Libby was premature and was diagnosed with a mid version of autism and attention deficit disorder. The cause of this caused him to have difficulty and socialize with others and in the class. Jackie (Alex’s mom), believed that his premature birth was the reason why he was bullied. In the documentary, it showed that on his first day of seventh grade, Alex was already receiving death threats from the students that was waiting for the bus, “people think that I’m different. I’m not normal. Most kids don’t want to be around me. I feel like I belong somewhere else”. This quote shows that, no matter what you like you will still be bullied. With the mean comments being made, it can lead the victim (person being bullied) to depression which can lead to suicide later

Language can cause harm to an individual without even meaning to if you say something that does not relate to that individual. We shape our thoughts and perceptions with language because it helps us criticize people by what they say and how they do things. She mentions a study that asked people if the car that was “smashed” or the car that was “bumped” was going faster. People answered that the car that was “smashed” was going faster. This gives us an idea that this has more power since people perceive it in a different way than a car being

“Good citizens know they’re accountable for their actions (someone has said, “My right to swing my arm ends when my fist hits your nose.”)  There are those, however, who tend to forget that they also are held accountable for their words.  That’s how laws against libel and slander are sustained.” (Zonder)  There is no way to determine what will be offensive to one person, but not the next.  “For example, many African- Americans view the American classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as and example of hate speech.” (Wolfson)  Words can be very powerful.  If it is offensive, don’t read it or listen to it.  It is as simple as that.