Responsibility of speech

A few months ago my 6-year old niece walked into the kitchen and complained, “I’m starving!”
“Really?” I asked. My daughter and I exchanged glances. She said to her cousin, “Starving means that you’re dying because you haven’t eaten for many days. You ate breakfast this morning; I don’t think you’re starving.”

I’ve noticed how careless our culture has become with speech. We use really strong words which overstate the cirucumstance. Can we really ”hate” both lima beans and racism? Would a better word–either less strong or more so–better distinguish the level of our resistance of the two?

The reckless, indeed irresponsible, use of speech accelerates the closer we get to the first Tuesday in November–Election Day. The unfounded accusations made by nearly every candidate on the national stage is appaling. I’ll not post them here; I’m sure you’ve heard them all already. Many of them continue in the wake of the national contests.

My daughter initiated her own conversation of the political candidates at Kindergarten lunch. One friend said he wouldn’t vote for McCain because “he’s just a big, old grandpa.” Another friend told her that she wouldn’t vote for Obama because “he’s evil.” It made me wonder at the conversations parents were having with and around these children. After pointing out the value and wisdom of grandpas, and my husband explaining that both men are loved and created by God, both being very smart and neither being evil, the importance of instilling in our children the responsibility of their words is more apparent than ever.

In a culture where everyone seems to have an opinion, and few filters for their words, I want to think critically of the things I encounter and my belief system. My desire, for me and for my children, is to develop discernment to be prepared to thoughtfully address the widespread thoughtless and irresponsible verbal and written word which we encounter.

The freedom of speech, which we hold so dear, carries with it a responsibility and accountability for our words. As you engage in conversation in the weeks ahead, pause. Give consideration to the words you use. Select them carefully…and responsibly.