Jennifer MiltonNov 22, 2022
Joanne Freeman

Words matter.

In the pre-Civil War Congress, people called dangerous words “missiles.”
North and South, they pleaded with each other not to throw missiles before a national audience in Congress.

Words enrage, motivate, intimidate.
They matter.
ESPECIALLY spoken by people with power.

Don’t dismiss verbal attacks on Black, gay, trans, Jewish or ANY people as mere rhetoric.
They’re invitations.
We see this almost every day.

Nov 22, 2022 at 12:29amMastodon for iOS
Show threadForeignSubstance ✅Nov 22, 2022

@jbf1755

How language evolves!! From Latin: missilis "that which can be thrown".

A stone? No. David used a missile to defeat Goliath. 😂🤦

Show threadRachel MariaNov 22, 2022
@jbf1755 #StochasticTerrorists I believe we should call them what they are. 🤨 There’s going to be a lot of noise from the gop electeds in the House, putin too. So be aware, but don’t amplify. And please use the CW the ! in the cloud cuz many don’t want to see the poo - they’ve seen enough of it already. ☺️
Show threadShield MaidenNov 22, 2022
@jbf1755 Or women...which has become so normalised it doesn't even make the list. That's how bad it is;
Show threadJames David WalleyNov 22, 2022
@jbf1755 One of the biggest lies is the old adage “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” It might be true in the sense of not allowing yourself to be bothered by insults, but malicious words have, all-too-often, led to sticks and stones…not to mention the auto-da-fé, the lynch-mob’s noose, and the gas chambers.
Show threadJRNov 22, 2022

@jbf1755 …

and that is what you need historians

Show threadSirpushalotNov 22, 2022
@jbf1755 Hate speech is not free. It is costly.
Show threadLHamiltonNov 22, 2022
@jbf1755
"Look out how you use proud words.
When you let proud words go, it is not easy
to call them back.
They wear long boots, hard boots."
-- Carl Sandburg
Show threadJosh Philip RossNov 22, 2022

@jbf1755 this is interesting. First, yes, words are powerful and can harm. Agree with your whole post.

Just wondering if calling speech "missiles" made it easier to begin firing actual missiles. Like, if you think you've been firing them already, is it less of a shock to start shelling Ft. Sumpter?

Show threadJoseph S WeinsteinNov 22, 2022
@jbf1755 Don't get me wrong I love the intentions but the reality is about power, you either have it or not that's the only way you can achieve change
Show threadKrazyKatNov 22, 2022
@jbf1755 Concur.
Show threadLynne JackierNov 22, 2022
@jbf1755 Thank you! This is so well said.
Show threadSteveNov 23, 2022
@jbf1755 'Sticks & stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me' is bullshit. Brain scans show a much different outcome. Words matter. 'Free speech at any cost' is principle that prioritizes freedom at the cost of humanity.