Earlier this week I had a student in my office for a transfer orientation session. The student was very animated and excited to schedule his classes at Ohio State. After we discussed course options and went over what his best recommended route was the student and I began scheduling courses. A required course for his major was offered at a time the student did not like. He called it “retarded”. Later in our conversation, he refereed to a course on our program sheet as “gay” . As a former teacher, a Higher Education professional, and as a person, I have become very picky about the language that people use, especially in my office. These 2 words almost sent me over the edge, but I refrained from correcting the student, for the thought that maybe he was just worked up and did not realize his word choices.
As the meeting continued the student used both words on multiple other occasions, and at one point even dropped an explicit word that is NEVER allowed to be used in my office, this was the last straw. I finally stopped the student mid conversation and asked him if he was aware that he language may be taken as rude or discriminatory. He answered “No” and asked what I was talking about. The student and I then had a short conversation about language choices, especially in a professional setting. He was very apologetic and did not realize his language could be deemed offensive.
Score 1 for the language police.
After this interaction with the student I realized that I should have stopped him after his first language slip. People may not always realize their language can be offensive, but as a professional I feel that it is more than appropriate to correct people when they use language that could easily hurt or offend those around them.
I hope the student in my office will think next time before using those words, but more than anything I hope he teaches others about wording slips. (Especially since he is pursuing a degree in education…)
I wonder… is it appropriate or productive to post a sign in my office with a “reminder”of what language should and should not be used within an academic setting ?
A good site for those insterested in promoting good language choices is Think B4 You Speak. (http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/) The site even tracks how many times “wording fails” are used on Facebook each day. Many times, as a society, we don’t relaize how our language choices impact others. The small action of stopping and thinking a moment before we speak, can make a huge impact on those around us.
Don’t be afraid to speak up when someone uses language that is NOT okay, and be sure to role model that good behavior to others. You never know who may be listening and who may appreciate you taking a stand against derogatory language.
Think B4 You Speak Ad Campaigns:
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
if businesses can post signs that say “we don’t call the police” with an image of a gun, i think you are completely justified in posting a sign about respectful language. I would say it’s in the same category as a safe zone/safe place sticker.
Great post Kristen.
Language is a very powerful tool. I cringe when I hear words used inappropriately. When I coached high school soccer in Ohio we had a good discussion about the use of the word gay and why it was inappropriate in the context in which some of the players used it.
Every once in awhile that event comes up in conversation with them now. That was 4+ years ago. You made an impact too.
Make it a good day.
Mike
I actually have a safe zone sticker in my office and on many occasions have had to explain it to students. Student tend to take note after I explain to them the premise of a safe zone.
A great reminder of our responsibilities in education, Kristen. My colleague in student disability resources added “that’s so lame” to the list, a phrase that’s incredibly disrespectful to those with limited mobility.
If persons that I am connected with on Facebook use marginalizing language, I enjoy inviting them to this group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2205049197
Language is all too often used to reinforce systems of oppression. It’s a cumulative effect. A lot of people saying words that maim the dignity of the receiver. Sticks may break our bones (but bones can heal over time), however, words can have severe impact over the course of a lifetime.
Sometimes, it’s overt and most of the time, it’s fairly covert. For example, a lot of people use the word “guys” when talking about or to a group of people. Although “guys” is not gender neutral, it is used all the time in this capacity. Using “guys” as a way to label all people excludes while simultaneously placing one gender as the “norm.”
Hey, that post leaves me flieeng foolish. Kudos to you!