Language is a powerful tool. How we use it matters!

What is your immediate reaction when you are called out for saying something sexist, casteist, classist, racist, ableist?

Is it

‘ It’s not sexist/__ for me’

‘ I don’t think of it that way’

‘I don’t mean it that way’

‘It’s just a joke/take it lightly’

‘You don’t have to call it out every time’

‘Why are you serious all the time’

‘Dont give me gyaan all the time’

‘You are too sensitive’

‘You have a problem with everything’

‘I won’t say anything in front of you now’

Or is it

‘ I am sorry’

‘ I am sorry I didn’t realise but I see it now’

‘ I acknowledge my mistake and I would be mindful next time’

‘Thanks for calling it out, I will do better’

As individuals and active shapers of the society we live in, how many times are we okay with being called out? Do we put effort into unlearning the problematic notions? Or do we resort to selectively using certain words and language to different sets of people to avoid confrontation?

Do we feel that we are free to say whatever we like but have no responsibility towards how it will make others feel?

Do we feel that it’s okay for us to say whatever if we ‘didn't mean it that way’ but have a problem when others ‘just can’t let it go’?

I have been thinking about this a lot lately. What bothers me the most is that people with all the resources in the world to educate themselves or the ones who understand what is wrong and problematic still continue to do it.

We all seriously need a better ability to reflect deeply, accept, unlearn and learn better.

Be patient and thoughtful next time you are called out. We need to take it as a moment to learn rather than a threat to our entire existence which we need to protect vehemently with whatever silly justification pops in our heads first.

Let us accept our mistake, learn from it and not do it again.

I can assure you that the person calling you out is already very exhausted and it is crucial that we do our part to be better and use more informed and inclusive language rather than expecting the other person to ‘just ignore’ us when we go wrong.

Remember, language is a powerful tool in fighting injustice and creating a more inclusive reality. How we use it matters!