Week 2 Words can hurt
Words are everywhere, on billboards, on paper, sometimes in the sky, and through art. Words make us who we are today. We can tell someone if we like or dislike something and/or if something is hurting us through comments. It is our key to communication, but what is communication like for young students? How do they communicate with their peers and comprehend feedback from their peers?
The common phrases young students love to hear are "I’m so proud of you” and “I see you’re trying, keep up the good work” because they often make everybody’s day. Small compliments like “I love your outfit” and “you look really nice today” can really make someone happy; it could be the only compliment they have ever heard, and they will hold onto that dearly. Words can also tell someone you love them and/or ask someone if they want to be friends with you. Words are beautiful, like singing and poetry, but they can also be ugly. It can hurt someone, change someone in the worst way, and out could end someone’s life.
In today’s society, words are spoken negatively through anger and bitterness. The exchange of fowl name-calling and hurtful words disgust me. Guilt-tripping and peer pressure are the worst to me. I hate when people use fake scenarios just so you can bend over backward for their convenience, not yours. It repulses me when peers forcibly push that request towards someone, and they end up making the person give in. Mean comments and name-calling, whether a joke or malicious intent, it plants a metaphorical seed in someone’s life. Whether they are hurting or not, it could really harm them. I would love it if those around me could use words kindly and positively impact someone's life:).
Comments
A compliment always helps level up a person's day, especially when they are not in the mood of talking to anyone at the moment. Whenever people feel down, they need comfort, and a compliment is a great boost of energy giving them back the confidence they had earlier once again. I also don't really like name calling as it is just not ok, name calling to me seems similar to pointing out someone like they don't belong.
I agree that name-calling is absolutely disgusting. It really annoys me to think that some people have the audacity to call others names based on their own assumptions. I don’t even like the idea of name-calling and slander when it’s towards someone totally deserving of it. I really think that we should teach children the effects of harsh and negative words so that they don’t gain the habit of calling others names.
I agree that compliments are very powerful. If I have a bad day, a compliment definitely brightens my mood. I also don’t like name-calling, especially when people do it for very small reasons. It sometimes feels like the people who do name-calling forget the true meaning of these words since these words are used so often. However, these words can really hurt someone, and I think it is horrible that people use name-calling on such a frequent basis.
Words do have power. Compliments linger in people's heads for a long time, and insults do too. With words, people can manipulate scenarios in their favor and they can also manipulate scenarios to hurt others. This reminds me of when people spread false rumors about celebrities being bullies to ruin their careers and increase hate towards them, sometimes because they just don't like them, sometimes because they are jealous. Nowadays, maybe because of our media, being mean is funny and being nice is funny. Hopefully, we can change this in the future.
I’m sure a lot of us have said things we didn’t mean either, but that doesn’t take away from the damaging nature of these words or jokes. Over time, though, I think many of us just learn to take the majority of these mean comments as sarcasm or a joke, which may be a reason why it can be difficult for us to accept legitimate criticism. It’s saddening to think about, but differentiating which pieces of criticism you should take to heart is a skill that only improves with experience. The real fault lies in the people who say things to others to intentionally hurt them.
-Angel Susantin
I really relate to what you said about the phrases, “I’m proud of you” or “I see you’re trying” because it means so much to us as students when we hear words of encouragement. Mainly in Asian culture, it’s rare to hear those words come out of my parent’s mouths and it used to really mess with my low self-esteem. I always felt like I was not good enough but I am so glad to have met new friends that uplift me and encourage me. Like you said, kind and positive words can really make someone’s day and just give them a boost in their self confidence. I hope people will learn to realize that their words are hurting others and use their words wisely next time!
Sincerely,
Faith Tong
I love how you organized your blog and told us what you did like and what you absolutely hate. I agree with the fact that words can really make someone's day or it can absolutely ruin them. If I wear a new shirt to school I would usually expect people to compliment me. If I am proud of my outfit I am sure that my boyfriend will compliment me and this makes me really happy.
Sincerely,
Mrinmayee
I totally agree that just a few good words per day just makes the day seem a whole lot better. Honestly, I struggle to interprétate words that are said to me sometimes if they seem a bit of a reach. But I do usually shrug them aside because honestly, I sort of just got numb with those things(it could just be me being pessimistic all the time who knows.) Regardless. positive words resonate with everyone and just a small compliment really gets one through the day.