The most destructive of weapons is not the spear or the siege cannon, which can wound a body and demolish a wall. The most terrible of all weapons is the word, which can ruin a life without leaving a trace of blood, and whose wounds never heal.
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Love Paulo Coelho. What he writes always seem to make sense. Kids today don’t get this basic principle that words can damage a person’s mental and emotional state, and can almost lead to the victim feeling lost and alone in a world with ten billion inhabitants. Freedom of speech is the cry. Well Freedom of speech may be the hobby horse of our youth today,but they are not aware where all that freedom is going to take them in the future. I wrote about this several years ago in my book Anti Bullying 101. Today kids say what they want constantly with the use of text messaging and social media. They have lost their ability to think and have allowed their impulses to take over causing pain, and anxiety to those they choose to hurt.
Bench Notice
I can say what I want to say when I want to say it. I guess that’s true. I will add one additional line; with a consequence. Let’s face it you can’t scream fire in Macy’s, well unless there’s a fire. If not you will probably get arrested. Freedom of speech is not the freedom to say what you want, but the wisdom to say what you ought. Chasten a student about his/her language or negative attitude when he talks to someone and his response will probably be “I don’t care.” Rest assured they will. Get him/her to break this bad habit now or one day it will cost them their job, or maybe a marriage.
Words need to be fitly spoken; even the truth needs to be delivered in a kind caring way with the desire to help, not to hurt. Only a fool will utter his whole mind, burning bridges and leaving once positive relationships in a wake of turmoil and pain. Teach your students to say what is on their mind with the right attitude and the right motive. You will be improving the school climate and gearing them for life long success as adults.
