Far-Right Protests.

 

Interestingly, there has been quite an explosive news response to both social media and certain parts of the newspaper industry for using inflammatory language.

A long-held contention of mine is that words carry power and create an effect. When people react to our words, claiming that the reaction had nothing to do with us is somewhat disingenuous.

The old adage, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,' is, to say the least, incorrect. We understand that words spoken to children can inflict lasting damage on their adult lives.

As said, I am pleased to see the new backlash against rabble-rousing presented by social media, and aspects of the press. However, what seems to be missing from recent discussions, and the calling out of such wrong words, is the responsibility of politicians, the nation's leaders, to call out the same wrong expressions being uttered. They have so far failed to do so, and worse, they claim that when things react, such as recent right-wing riots, it has nothing to do with them.

Prime Ministers who announce that they would like to create a hostile social environment for certain people, should not be surprised if some people become hostile to others and act in accordance with politicians' words. Some people find it easy to take encouragement from terrible words and believe that they are pleasing such leaders.

While it is encouraging to see social media and the press being called out for their harmful practices, we must not absolve politicians from their responsibility. They too must be held accountable for their inflammatory speech.

If one looks across the pond, we will have to be blind and unthinking not to notice that the words spoken by so-called leaders have caused death, riots, and almost the overthrow of democracy.  Words have power, let us not forget that, and claiming otherwise is just plain dishonest.

As I say to my students, it is always better to engage your brain before putting your mouth into gear. We need to be aware of not only the immediate, but also the long-term consequences of what we say - particularly if we are political leaders. Words spoken cannot be unspoken.  

 

adrianhawkes.co.uk

www.blogspot.co.uk

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08/08/2024