We hear negative language every day: in the halls at school, during class, in movies, on the TV, over the radio, through social media, and in countless songs.
Personally I am tired of the constant use of negative, vulgar, crude, profane, inappropriate, and explicit words and phrases in our society and especially in our school.
The official school behavioral policy states that the use of inappropriate language will result in as little as a student conference and as much as a suspension. Students may also receive a TMR for profanity or an ODR if the use intensifies, is directed as someone, or is a chronic occurrence. However, the execution of school policies depends on teachers and administration and in my opinion, is lacking in consistency.
With the threat of punishment for our actions, it surprises me that so many people choose to ignore the rules and speak as they wish. This makes me question why students use the words that they do.
I have come to the conclusion that the use of negative language comes from one of two things. Students are not creative in their use of words, or they have become so accustomed to profanity that they see no harm in using those words in conversations at school.
The average person knows anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 words. That’s not nearly as many as the approximately quarter of a million words in the English language. So my question for my fellow students is: Why can’t you think of a better word to describe your feelings?
There are countless words to choose from that would better describe how you’re feeling other than the generic and overused cuss word. I understand that it may be difficult, but it IS possible to censor your words for a school setting. It only takes a little bit of effort and something called thinking before you speak.
So instead of dropping the F-bomb when you’re upset, I challenge you to censor your language so you can save yourself from a TMR and use a word your English teacher would be proud of.