Words Do Hurt

When I was a child, I was taught that we had freedom of speech in this country, and that there were times when we were not at liberty to use that freedom. The example given was when shouting "fire" in a crowded movie theater, which could cause people to run for their lives and get trampled.

Recently, we have had people in this country openly and malignantly spreading rumors that have incited hatred and violence against the Haitian community, which has been proven to be a rumor spread to malign the Haitian community (https://www.npr.org/2024/09/11...) Unfortunately, what is worse is that people would run to act upon such information. If you are one of these people, you need to stop and think; would I be doing this on my own? Is it possible that I am being used to incite fear and create separations between people for someone else's purposes? No matter what, you are the person doing the act, and it is you that will suffer from the consequences of your actions. Don't we have enough hatred in this country without people running and acting on a bunch of lies. And don't we have real issues to contend with, such as skyrocketing rents, medical debt, poverty, the lack of medical care, and more....

Take a moment to consider that if your child had lies posted about them that caused your child to be taunted and be treated horribly by the people reading those lies, this would be a horrible event in your child's life, and the person doing it would be without a doubt be considered a bully. Because the only reason to do such a thing would be to hurt your child. Why, I ask, is it any different if this is done to a community of people, any community of people. Aren't the people that are spreading these lies bullies? Aren't they seeking to hurt this community? Aren't they using the media, social platforms to spread these rumors with malice. The city of Springfield has had lockdowns and evacuations as a result of these false rumors. Some Haitian families in Springfield are choosing to keep their children home, and stay home themselves for their safety. Yes, these rumors have caused the disruption of these people's lives, and caused them to live in fear. Is that what we want for our children, then why would we want it for anyone else's children?

This is not the first time, nor will it be the last, when words are used to hurt, to cause others to hurt, and to cause fear. I am a person of faith, and I will leave you with three verses from the Bible. The first is Exodus 23:1 “You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with the wicked to act as a malicious witness (NRSV)." By spreading a false rumor or acting on it, you are joining hands with those that have ill will. Be not that person. The second, Ephesians 4:29 "Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. (NRSV)" We are to help one another with our words to build them up, not to cause them harm. The last is Mark 12: 30-31 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. [a] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. [b] There is no commandment greater than these. (NIV)”