Free Speech – annoying, hurting?

By Rhiannonw

Mon, 18 Jun 2012
  • 1278 reads
2 comments
 

A law against offending speech,
and written words, but aren’t we each
offended every day by this, or that,
or in some other way?
Where draw the line, resort to law?
for words may yet respect restore
to different stance – may be, perchance,
preferred to ignorance of others’ views and news …?

and what of empty words of anger,
those swear words that give voice to temper?
their meaning, origin may be unknown
to one who’s safety-valve has blown,
but to a listener (reader) may
cause hurt, distaste, – no law can say
you must desist, but sensitivity
can train the tongue to care and courtesy.

Certificate U
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Comments

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

It is so true that offensive language is so rife and almost the accepted norm these days. I'm not sure why people think they are so clever by their very limitted choice of these words.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jean. Pausing to think before letting off steam can save hurt or mistake in so many ways, can't it. I read something recently that people wouldnt shoot before they look where they're aiming, and so to think before speaking! And I suppose the idea that swearing can be unpleasant for others isn't thought about much these days. But it tends to increase more and more, as the relief supposedly gained by swearing wears off, and seems less effective gradually, I think. Rhiannon