Words hurt but actions really speak
Rebecca E. Davidson
rector
I had just returned from the Easter Vigil Mass, the Church's greatest ritual celebration of Christ's resurrection and our faith. The liturgy was filled with joyous song and rich symbols of God's love for all of humanity and the rest of creation.
Upon my return, I noticed a poster missing from my door. You may have seen it in passing these past few weeks. The background consisted of numerous derogatory slang terms for various groups of people. The foreground stated: Words hurt. In a perfect world you wouldn't even think them. Until then don't even say them.
For me the poster indicated the kind of inclusive environment to which we have committed ourselves as members of the Notre Dame community and which we hope to bring about by our loving words and actions.
Having this poster stolen was intrusive enough. (Not only had I made a special request for the poster after an office on campus had displayed it for a few years, but I understand that it is no longer available.) The fact of its being done (presumably) while I was away at Easter worship further stunned and hurt me.
If someone thought the poster's message too strident or disturbing, she (or he) might have, instead, spoken to me about it, asking why I felt it was important enough to put up.
In light of this incident, I challenge all of you to consider the issues about which this poster spoke and why someone might be so troubled by them as to want to remove it from sight. Do we still use derogatory names such as "nigger," "retard" and "fatso?" Do we use terms such as "gay" in a negative way? If so, why?
Are we insecure in our own identities or threatened by those of others? Do we consider our language to be only our own business and not that of those who might hear it? Can we be certain that someone within hearing range is not gay or struggling with her body image? Can we assume that the people around us don't have a developmentally disabled sibling or a step-parent of a different race?
I also ask you to consider that some members of our community might have found that poster insightful, challenging or supportive. Its disappearance may suggest to someone that I thought the poster's message worth a mere few weeks' consideration.
I do not know whether the person who took the poster was a resident of Breen-Phillips or not, a Notre Dame student or another visitor, an invited guest of a resident or someone who was simply let in the door. In any case, I pray that this person may examine his or her heart and come to a deeper understanding of the Christian community we are called to build in this hall and this university.
As we celebrate these 50 days of Easter, may we all experience the inclusive love of Christ, in whom we share new life and, through Christ, deepen our love for one another.
Rebecca E. Davidson
rector
Breen-Phillips Hall
April 14, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Thursday, April 19, 2001
