Why we don't Encourage Speaking

Thinking liberally in Kansas has taught me some things.
Convincing my mother that not all liberal ideas are good has taught me some things.
Defending an unpopular topic in a room full of fierce opposition is just about my favorite thing to do.
Today’s topic is about the nature of our opposition to swear words, and how in reality labeling these words as such causes greater ills than goods.
    When I was about ten maybe eleventh years old, I went to my first Friday Night Magic (FNM), a party for Magic: The Gathering players, in essence. This is the place where all the nerd gamers from high school hang out, now adults; but still act like children, playing a card game. Yes FNM is a beautiful thing, a room full of kids using adult language and their cunning mind working at strategy games, in order to throw hundreds of dollars down the toilet. In our ranks was the worst mouth of all, an ex-marine gone strategist, running the show with his creative use of the term “Mother Fucker”, had the ability to just insert it in any phrase he pleased and got away with it. Nobody raised concern; everyone had a good time at these FNM.
    There was alway the brave trouble makers at school, slipping the word “bitch” into their conversation and their dramatic exiting speech whenever they got kicked out of class. These folks got a lot of attention because they showed the free-spirited youthful rebellion as they uttered those forbidden words. As teenagers we all feel that sense of rebelliousness, those that expressed it got socially rewarded. A phenomenon spread through each grade, one by one, year after year. Something about the freedom gained at the age of 13 changed people. They ripped their jeans, jammed to Rock, Rap, and Sexual Pop music on the bus, because up until that point Ipods were banned on school bus.
    And now, as I go to freshmen school I hear these words as free as if these ancient codes that forbid these words are now lifted. All of these events have made me realize that there is no evil menace in these words; the menace itself comes from our elder’s suppression of such words.
    A words meaning is only the way you use it. We have two sections of negative words, soft words and then swear words. If I tell you “YOU ARE LAME” when you’re having a bad day, in a very mean and loud manner, what is the difference between that and softly uttering, “You’re really bitchy today”. I for one would be more hurt by some one seriously screaming phrase one into my ear, with the entire serious and ill wish that is generally associated with yelling “Bitch” across the room. So when I joking use a swear word, or joking use the word Buttface, only one of those gets a stern look from my teacher. Words’ meaning is entirely dependent on the presentation of that word. Interpretations the spoken phrase are affected by intent the same way.
    Within the bible it says something about the fouls of the use of an ill tongue. This is generally accepted to mean that is it good for your soul’s integrity if you don’t use swear words. However this verse can be applied to any mean phrase or comment, such as the commonly used like; “You’re silly, you’re dumb”, Weakling, slow, retarded, etc. We all know these to be most often used in a joking manner. We also use swear words in the joking manner. So to use this biblical phrase to ban the use of any swear word, no matter the context, it is to ban the use of any negative term. An absolute resolve against foul language is needed to keep a clean soul. I feel logic like this falls clearly into the pot of narrow and strict interpretations of language that is destructive and impedes progress.
    Labeling some words as illegal violates our write to express ourselves, legally. The suppression of thoughts and ideas, simply because of a trivial “banned” list is destructive to society. We need to be able to feel that we can speak freely regardless of the language used. Banning these words in general society cause the youth to actively want to use them, out of the naturally feeling of rebellion that comes about during the age of mental development. When we are told we can’t do something, psychology proves that we want to do it even more. Little kids want to ride the 46” restricted roller coasters, even though it clearly is not happening.
    Often times rappers get a lot of slam for putting dirty language in our childrens hearts and minds. Rap, as all art forms do, express the artists feelings. On the harsh street of urban housing projects, they speak like that. So to censor the words that they use to express themselves inaccurately portrays the harsh hood life. Instead of complaining about “Bitch & Hoe” content, we need to working to Improve the life of the poor.
    Shit Shit Shit…..