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
w. 373
08/08/2024
