Words Matter

Scrolling through Twitter I came across an image showing two Google searches, one starting “how can u” leading to searches like “get herpes, get hiv, get aids”; the other starting “how can an individual” leading to searches like “impact the course of history, make a difference, affect society.”  The tagline said, “Proper Grammar Matters.”

Well, you know after reading that, I had to check it out for myself.   “Trust, but verify,” as Ronald Reagan said.

“How can u” did lead to searches for herpes and the like, but “how can an individual” led to a post by Jerz’s Literacy Weblog arguing that the tagline “grammar matters” implies that there is a link between grammar and class/morality, but really it boils down to people typing “u” instead of “you” or “an individual” as a shortcut if they are searching  Google on their phone versus a computer.

English lesson for the day aside, I was drawn to this because I believe that words matter.  This week I’ve heard some incredible women say incredibly awful things…about themselves…  “I don’t look in the mirror, I’ll just feel bad.”  “I’m such a fatty.”  “I’m an embarrassment to the female race.”  Whoa.

Words matter.

You would never say those things to another woman, why are you saying that garbage to yourself?  If you are just in a dark place right now, let me give you some new words to get you started.

Look in that mirror.  Know what I see when I look at you?  A badass Ninja warrior.  Are you feeling a little off right now?  It happens to the best of us.  You can be a Ninja in training in the meantime until you get your mojo back.

Don’t ever let the size of your jeans diminish your self-worth.  You’re better than that.

Lisa 

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