Words Matter. That’s the name of a business that I wanted to start years ago but never got around to it because I had young children at the time. I have always worked in communications roles throughout my life and words are important to me.
Unfortunately, when the COVID shutdown started last year, I watched way too much news and engaged in too much social media – places where words are becoming increasingly toxic.
Last summer, I noticed a Facebook posting from an old high school friend who is now a business person in my community. Reflecting the tone of some people during that time, he took to Facebook to lash out at our Governor for her public health decisions. Though I disagreed with him, I respect everyone’s right to their opinion. But it went one step further when he used a name for the Governor that some were using in a derogatory way to connect COVID to Asians, something that has resulted in a lot of discrimination and violence against Asians and Pacific Islanders.
As the mother of two Asian American children and the aunt of an Asian American niece and nephew who have experienced plenty of discrimination, I was irate. However, learning from experience, I stepped away from the keyboard and took a deep breath.
However, I also remembered Martin Luther King Junior’s quote, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” After being in the corporate world for years, I realized I was too silent when I heard demeaning language or saw unethical situations. Now I needed to use my words; I responded respectfully but strongly.
Did it impact him? Most likely not. His response was defensive, and I have noticed that his social media posts have become increasingly toxic over the last year. Yet, I still felt I had done the right thing.
I am far from perfect. I can’t tell you how many times in my life I had not thought about my words before they came out of my mouth or in using a keyboard. It’s an unfortunate part of being human. But these times, perhaps more than ever, thinking before we use our choice of words while also using our words to speak up for others is critical.
One of the things that I have loved most since starting AMM Consulting two years ago are the many opportunities to work with people and organizations on their choice of words. Whether developing policy and legislation, writing strategic plans, speeches, and legislative testimony, or coaching them for upcoming presentations, media, or job interviews, I love the opportunity to help them create words that matter. (www.ammconsultingstrategies.com)
My advice is always to choose your words carefully – make them short, powerful, and meaningful, and most of all, think through their meaning and impact on others. Because Words do Matter.