by Suzi George

Created on: April 05, 2009

The old saying "sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me" seems to be outdated anymore. Sadly, words can and do hurt. First and foremost, lets look at the meaning of the word faggot. In Webster's dictionary, the actual meaning of that word is a bundle of sticks. The meaning of the 'n' word is dumb or stupid so that fact that our society uses both of these as a racial and sexual orientation-themed slur shows how far we've dropped as a society.

To try and say the word fag can be used in a positive way rather than negative is like saying we could welcome the KKK as a non-biased group, it's not going to happen. Name calling is unacceptable on any level, adults and children alike. Children aren't born knowing these things, they are learned. Unfortunately, rather than moving forward in acceptance, we seem to be stagnating and continuing the pattern of ignorance by passing it on to the next generations.

No one forces any human being to like a certain group of people. However, we do need to show respect for their color, religion and their orientation. You don't have to like it, you don't have to support it but name calling is unnecessary and childish. Using this word and others like it show your ignorance and stupidity. I have taught my own children that when someone calls you names or makes fun of you, they feel bad about themselves and it makes them feel better to make fun of others. It doesn't make it any less hurtful but it helps to get them through. I've also encouraged my children to tell them "I'm sorry you feel so bad about yourself that you have to make fun of others, I'll pray for you." This seems to work quite well.

Change must come from within ourselves and you can break the pattern of being prejudice on your own. I was raised in a very, very racially prejudiced home but I chose not to be. Not everyone can do this but I'm happy I did and passed that philosophy onto my five children. Accepting others for who they are is key to being a good person. How would fag be used in a nice way? I've thought and thought and cannot come up with one good way at all!

Using fag is as bad as using words like spic, kike, chink or coon. These are but a few words I heard growing up. My father was born in the early nineteen hundreds and was fifty when I was born. Being raised in Georgia, he was living what he learned. I did not like it. I have friends of all colors and orientations as well as different religions. I felt as if these words were directed at them and it was wrong to use them. There's no possible way you can use any of those words in a good way.

Children learn what they live and live what they learn. Teach them not to use these words and nothing will be up for debate. Personally, people who use these words are ignorant and choose to show it by speaking that way.

Learn more about this author, Suzi George.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.