“A word after a word after a word is power,” author Margaret Atwood tells us, and the past several months, culminating in the events of January 6, 2021, have proven her right.
We can use words to inflame hate or inspire compassion. We can wield them to divide or utilize them to unite. We need to recognize the power of words and start using them more carefully if we want to heal from the challenges of 2020 and move forward productively.
Specifically, I suggest we send less words out into the world and think more about the words we absorb. In social media and news reports, people use simple terms for complex ideas, and I’m convinced half the time, we don’t really know what the words mean. When a protestor claims, “The democrats want socialism“, what does that even look like? When a pundit suggests “America is moving toward populism“, what does that say about our society?
We need to stop carelessly throwing words around and slow down to consider the meaning and influence of what we say. We must listen to the words of people we don’t agree with to appreciate why some are so upset and angry that they shatter windows and loot buildings, whether they do so in the streets of Portland or at the Capitol in D.C. We must use words to find understanding, to encourage cooperation, and to foster coexistence.
The words we tell ourselves and each other have incredible effect. We can use them to rehash old hurts and regurgitate old regrets, or we can employ them to build connection and inspire positive change.
At the turn of this new year, I’m planning on using words more intentionally, and I’ve chosen a few, from songs and Bible verses, to turn to when negativity threatens to break me down. My word for the year is “create”, and I originally chose it to remind me to nurture my own creativity, because I have learned indulging my creative side – by writing a novel, sketching a flower, or making a card- fills my spirit.
But now, after the events of January 6th, I realize I can’t just focus on me. People are hurting, and I must consider how my focus word, “create” can make this broken world better. I can, and must, create bridges, and safe places for dialogue, and trust, and understanding. It’s a heavy goal, but one I believe is necessary.
Word nerd note: In her acclaimed novel The Handmaids Tale, Margaret Atwood describes life in the oppressive republic of Gilead, a nation formed in the United States after insurgents storm the Capitol and take over Congress. Does that scare you a little? It should.
In 2021, let’s use words for better things: building, empathizing, understanding. Because as Atwood so wisely reminds us, “A word after a word after a word is power.”
What words will you focus on in 2021?
Thanks for getting thoughtful with me!
Beautiful piece. Indeed we should listen more and speak less and let the words of our heart and the meditation of our mouth be acceptable. Very encouraging and inspiring.
Thank you Ann, and what a wonderful scriptural reference to keep in mind as we move forward this year!
Thanks for a good post. When I was a kid I was taught, “Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me.” While it is good to teach children to deflect the damage of words, the saying is not true. If it were true, it would be equally true to say that words can never help me. But they can.
The common man may use words carelessly but my fear is that most politicians and pundits are careful to choose their words for it is their intention to arouse emotion rather than thought. On some occasions, words with very broad meanings are chosen to convey a message that needs precision. But a broad term is used so that the politician can make it mean whatever he needs it to mean in a time of conflict.
Before the exhortation to use good words can be useful, there must be a desire on the part of the speaker to good to his hearers. Right now, our society is more bent on destroying the opposition than it is on advancing truth. While truth can never be advanced without destroying error, one can advance truth without destroying the people who believe and promote the error.
As a pastor, my primary job is communication. In my early years, I would purposefully raise my voice and use war-like words on those issues I thought most important. But honest self-examination also showed that my motive was often to elicit positive responses from the hearers. I was able to gain the approval of the listeners by denouncing people who were not even there. Over time I have changed my manner and with the change of manner came an increase in benefit to the listeners.
Forgive my lengthy response. But what it demonstrates is that your words found common ground in me; they “incited” thought.
Great thoughts! Glad you enjoyed.