{"id":184,"date":"2022-12-01T07:44:53","date_gmt":"2022-12-01T12:44:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/antiracismnursing\/?post_type=chapter&p=184"},"modified":"2023-01-30T13:27:44","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T18:27:44","slug":"the-power-of-words","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/antiracismnursing\/chapter\/the-power-of-words\/","title":{"raw":"The Power of Words","rendered":"The Power of Words"},"content":{"raw":"

Most of us grew up hearing the adage, \u201cSticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.\u201d It\u2019s intended to make us feel strong and brave, but it\u2019s actually far from the truth. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Words are powerful, and words do hurt<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Not only do words hurt as they are spoken: but they may also have long-lasting effects on health and well-being. In previous chapters, we discussed how experiences of racism can lead to acute and chronic physical conditions as well as feelings of social inadequacy. Racist words and phrases play a major role in perpetuating racist practices. Overt words of racism are often called out due to laws and workplace policies and can lead to disciplinary actions. So, how can racism continue?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The answer is that racist speech is easily disguised and is often accompanied by \u201cI never knew I couldn\u2019t say that!\u201d or \u201cIt\u2019s only a word, I did not mean any harm!\u201d Many people do not take the time to think beyond the word or phrase and the emotional pain it can trigger for a Black and racialized person. This kind of emotional pain is often referred to as racial trauma<\/strong>, which is the cumulative and traumatic effects of racism and its continual recurrence that can involve psychological and physical effects such as stress, nightmares, flashbacks, headaches, and heart palpitations (Comas-Diaz et al., 2019). By understanding racial trauma, we can become culturally aware: words may not affect one population much, but might be life-altering and damaging to another population. Let\u2019s take a moment to reflect on the power of words<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Imagine you are watching a movie that takes place in the deep South of the US. A young white man calls an older Black man, \u201cBoy!\u201d What is the meaning behind that term? It undermines the Black man\u2019s maturity and signifies to the Black man that he is less than an adult, less intelligent, and simply \u201cless than\u201d the white man \u2013 all of which would have lasting effects on the Black man\u2019s self-worth. Another example is that after 9\/11, Muslim communities were labelled as terrorists, creating fear and distrust toward them. When white supremacists were rioting in Charlottesville in response to the proposed removal of the statue of General Robert E. Lee, the then-president of the United States publicly called them \u201cgood people.\u201d These examples illustrate the power of words and how they can criminalize one group and exonerate another.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The history of anti-Black racism reflects the influence of words used toward Black, Indigenous, and other racialized communities; some of these words have also been extended to certain groups of inferior white immigrants. These words continue to influence beliefs and how certain populations are viewed \u2013 because words have power<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tn8YljtlUxE[\/embed]\r\n\r\nVideo: The Power of Words [8:03]\r\n

References<\/h2>\r\n

Asare, J. G. (2019, May 31). The angry black woman stereotype<\/em>. Forbes.<\/span> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/janicegassam\/2019\/05\/31\/overcoming-the-angry-black-woman-stereotype\/?sh=4e03e9781fce<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Ashley, W. (2014). The angry black woman: The impact of pejorative stereotypes on psychotherapy with black women. Social Work in Public Health, 29<\/em>(1), 27\u201334.<\/span> https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/19371918.2011.619449<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Comas-Diaz, L., Hall, G., Nevilled, H., & Kazak, A. (2019). Racial trauma: Theory, research, and healing: Introduction to the special issue. American Psychologist, 74<\/em>(1), 1\u201315.<\/span> https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/amp0000442<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Dictionary.com. (2021, June 11). Model minority. In Dictionary.com dictionary<\/em>. <\/span>https:\/\/www.dictionary.com\/e\/historical-current-events\/model-minority\/<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Escalona, D. (2018, October 30). Your voice: Immigrants aren\u2019t lazy, their wages just don\u2019t keep up. Chicago Tribune<\/em>.<\/span> https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/voice-it\/ct-hoy-your-voice-immigrants-aren-t-lazy-their-wages-just-don-t-keep-up-20181030-story.html<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Fraiman, M. (2019, August 2). The long history of \u201cgo back to where you came from\u201d in Canada. Macleans<\/em>.<\/span> https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/history\/the-long-history-of-go-back-to-where-you-came-from-in-canada\/<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Mekawi, Y., Todd, N. R., Yi, J., & Blevins, E. J. (2020). Distinguishing \u201cI don\u2019t see color\u201d from \u201cRacism is a thing of the past\u201d: Psychological correlates of avoiding race and denying racism. Journal of Counseling Psychology<\/em>, 67<\/em>(3), 288\u2013302.<\/span> http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1037\/cou0000427<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Color Blindness. Merriam-Webster.<\/em> <\/span>https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/colorblindness<\/a><\/a><\/p>\r\n

Neville, H. A., Awad, G. H., Brooks, J. E., Flores, M. P., & Bluemel, J. (2013). Color-blind racial ideology: Theory, training, and measurement implications in psychology. American Psychologist, 68<\/em>(6), 455\u2013466<\/span>. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/a0033282<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Nguyen, V. T. (2020, June 25). Asian Americans are still caught in the trap of the \u201cmodel minority\u201d stereotype. And it creates inequality for all. Time<\/em>.<\/span> https:\/\/time.com\/5859206\/anti-asian-racism-america\/<\/a><\/p>\r\n

","rendered":"

Most of us grew up hearing the adage, \u201cSticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.\u201d It\u2019s intended to make us feel strong and brave, but it\u2019s actually far from the truth. <\/span><\/p>\n

Words are powerful, and words do hurt<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only do words hurt as they are spoken: but they may also have long-lasting effects on health and well-being. In previous chapters, we discussed how experiences of racism can lead to acute and chronic physical conditions as well as feelings of social inadequacy. Racist words and phrases play a major role in perpetuating racist practices. Overt words of racism are often called out due to laws and workplace policies and can lead to disciplinary actions. So, how can racism continue?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The answer is that racist speech is easily disguised and is often accompanied by \u201cI never knew I couldn\u2019t say that!\u201d or \u201cIt\u2019s only a word, I did not mean any harm!\u201d Many people do not take the time to think beyond the word or phrase and the emotional pain it can trigger for a Black and racialized person. This kind of emotional pain is often referred to as racial trauma<\/strong>, which is the cumulative and traumatic effects of racism and its continual recurrence that can involve psychological and physical effects such as stress, nightmares, flashbacks, headaches, and heart palpitations (Comas-Diaz et al., 2019). By understanding racial trauma, we can become culturally aware: words may not affect one population much, but might be life-altering and damaging to another population. Let\u2019s take a moment to reflect on the power of words<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine you are watching a movie that takes place in the deep South of the US. A young white man calls an older Black man, \u201cBoy!\u201d What is the meaning behind that term? It undermines the Black man\u2019s maturity and signifies to the Black man that he is less than an adult, less intelligent, and simply \u201cless than\u201d the white man \u2013 all of which would have lasting effects on the Black man\u2019s self-worth. Another example is that after 9\/11, Muslim communities were labelled as terrorists, creating fear and distrust toward them. When white supremacists were rioting in Charlottesville in response to the proposed removal of the statue of General Robert E. Lee, the then-president of the United States publicly called them \u201cgood people.\u201d These examples illustrate the power of words and how they can criminalize one group and exonerate another.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The history of anti-Black racism reflects the influence of words used toward Black, Indigenous, and other racialized communities; some of these words have also been extended to certain groups of inferior white immigrants. These words continue to influence beliefs and how certain populations are viewed \u2013 because words have power<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n