Campaign Probes "Words That Hurt"

Posters bearing provocative, even startling language have appeared on campus this week, setting in motion a campaign titled "Words That Hurt." Sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Affairs and organized by Susanna Bergin '09 and Marina Fradera '09, the campaign is designed to draw attention to the repercussions of language that can offend, even though speakers sometimes do not recognize it as offensive. According to Bergin, each of the 17 phrases reproduced on the posters has been overheard or is in common use on campus.

"We plan three different discussions of the posters," Bergin says, "looking at them from different perspectives. The first one, which we call 'Sometimes I Just Want to Be Offensive,' will deal with the notion of political correctness. Is it useful? What are the trade-offs between free speech and cultural sensitivity? In the next meeting, we'll talk about the potential for positive uses of offensive words — in satire, for instance, or in reclaiming words that have been used to denigrate people. In the last discussion, we'll ask people to share their personal responses to the posters."

Director of Intercultural Affairs Chris MacDonald-Dennis says that education about hurtful language is a continuing process that is useful to everyone.

"At Bryn Mawr, people tend to think, 'Oh, of course we don't use offensive language because we're smart.' But prejudice has nothing to do with intelligence. You can't truly understand how to live productively in a multicultural society with the intellect alone; you need the heart as much as the head. It is important to listen empathetically to other people's reactions to the words we use."

MacDonald-Dennis says that the discussions will also consider ways to deal productively with people whose words offend.

"Alienating people by hurling accusations of bigotry might be satisfying," he notes, "but it's rarely effective in bringing about change. We hope to help people learn ways to express their hurt so that those who have offended them can listen."

"Words That Hurt" discussions will take place at the following times and locations:

• Thursday, March 1, at 8:30 p.m. in Rhoads Living Room
• Monday, March 5, at 8:30 p.m. in Rockefeller Living Room
• Wednesday, March 7, at 8:30 p.m. in Campus Center Main Lounge

<Back to Bryn Mawr Now 3/1/2007

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