|
Abolishment
of the Word “Fag” |
Everyday
we are bombarded with the derogatory use of the terms “fag” and
“gay” as well as the ignorance that accompanies such remarks. In
addition we have often heard the weak argument that it is not meant in a
sexual manner or even that fag really means cigarette or a bundle of
sticks. These lies can’t stand any longer. Everyone knows what they
really mean, including and especially the speaker.
True, words are not in themselves physically
harmful, but they can become emotionally devastating, and while they may
not seem that way for the speaker, they can be for the listener. The pain
is on the inside, as it most always is for those who must hide their true
selves from their peers. That pain cries out in a collective form. These
voices speak from intolerance. The word “fag”, or any form of the
word, must be completely abolished from the vocabulary of every student.
It is not bad to be a human with a different lifestyle; it should not be
spoken of in such a derogatory fashion, the words are spoken with hate,
fear, and ignorance.
Physical and even sexual harassment against
lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) students has been well
documented at many schools. I personally wonder how thin the line can be
for the people who obviously don’t have the intelligence to accept
others as they are or the self-control to not rant at them for their life
choices. When will we stop seeing people walking down the hall bleeding in
body and soul after being beaten by people who think, “God hates
queers” ?
I think the line is too thin if the word
“fag”, or any form of the word, has already entered the vocabulary of
most students at this high school as something negative. It is for this
reason that I initially started the Gay-Straight Alliance, now Tolerance
Club. Using the word “gay”, “fag”, or “faggot” in a derogatory
manner must be dealt with by our administration and by our teachers. When
it is overlooked by the only authority figures around us, what will the
world come to? This horribly out-of-control situation must be shown to all
those that spot it and then it must be punished as severely as the law
can. It is sexual harassment and intolerance anyway you look at it.
When
you insult someone based on sexual orientation or supposed sexual
orientation it is illegal and totally immoral. Christians, who think this
kind of harassment is all right because the Bible condemns homosexuality,
are living in a state of hypocrisy. “Let he who is without sin cast the
first stone,” said Jesus.
Re-enforce
the tolerance of all people. The first step to take is to abolish the word
“fag”, “gay”, “faggot”, or any form of the word, when used in
a derogatory manner. In spirit of this leap to tolerance, the Tolerance
Club of El Segundo High School, which meets on Tuesday at lunch in the
computer lab, will be holding a Day of Silence on _________. This event
will entail students taking a nine-hour oath of silence in order to
reflect the voices of those who were shown intolerance and who could do
nothing about it for so long.