LETTER: Language can be abusive

Editor,

In response to the letter from Jill Prichard (Letters, Oct. 13), I’d also like to add a public thank you to football team member No. 46, Jared Johnstun. He is to be commended for responding to inappropriate behavior because it is the right thing to do and because it is often very difficult to respond due to peer pressure. During this week the Women’s Center Clothesline Project has hung in the TSC International Lounge. This display of shirts designed by survivors, their family or friends graphically illustrates the impact of violence on women’s lives. A survey conducted by the Utah Governor’s Commmission for Women and Families found that emotional abuse emerged as the most common type of domestic abuse among Utahns. Emotional abuse was defined to respondents of the survey as someone putting others down, name calling, making others think they are crazy, playing mind games, humiliating others, making others feel guilty. Using derogatory language is often the start of a cycle of violence.

Language matters. It particularly matters in our relationships with others. How men and women talk to and about each is important. To Jared Johnstun I extend my appreciation. You have set an example for all of us to follow, especially men. When men join women in speaking out against violence, the cycle of violence and silence can be broken.

Janet Osborne