From: Raven
Subject: Re: No Novices! (Xtian Great Rite)
Date: 10 AUG 94 03:47:42 EST
Because this was my response to a Email message, I have deleted the
name of my correspondent (and most of that message) for privacy's
sake.
>>An artist is responsible for every line and shade of his artwork --
>>not just for his intentions, but for his results.
> The artist is responsible for his work, but you, I'm afraid, are
> entirely responsible for your own reactions. Too many people want
> to blame their reactions on someone else....
Suzette Haden Elgin addresses precisely this point in her excellent
series of books on "the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense". Some
people do claim that, if you are screamed at, insulted, threatened,
harangued for hours, defamed to everyone you know, demeaned,
belittled, accused, and condemned, why, "you are entirely responsible
for your own reactions", because, of course, mere words have no power
to hurt.
In Elgin's opinion (and mine), this is simply false. Words CAN hurt.
Elgin goes on for four books to discuss how to prevent that hurt...
which no more absolves a verbal abuser than a physical abuser.
Words do have power. And power carries responsibility.
And irresponsible abuse of power should carry penalties.
Even with our First Amendment, which in most cases prevents "prior
restraint" on speech and publication, people ARE held legally
accountable for the words they have spoken and written: there are laws
covering fraud, for instance, which may consist purely of words and
nothing else (even by phone or mail), and yet do financial harm; there
are laws covering slander and libel -- words, just words -- which can
damage people's social standing, careers, and livelihoods; and there
are laws covering assault, which may also consist of words. (In the
phrase "assault and battery", only battery requires physical contact,
the assault may be a simple threat.) Try calling or mailing a bomb
threat, or a threat on the life of the president: if you are caught
and convicted, you can do federal jail time for those WORDS.
Would the police, bomb squad, and fire department be held responsible
for their reactions to your words? No. You would be, and severely.
Does that put a different light on who's responsible for what?
-- Raven (JSingle@Music.Lib.MATC.Edu). [All standard disclaimers apply]
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