Hagen: Have we forgotten that words have meaning? – The Daily Republic

Youve just formed the word Dad in American Sign Language.

The way people communicate is fascinating, and its something as an editor and father of two girls I think about quite a bit.

Three years ago, I had no idea how to sign much of anything. Then, I began joining my daughter for weekly speech and physical therapy classes. We put our masks over our faces, marched into the classroom and worked on communication with Zoey, whose smile and laughs speak more beautifully than words can express.

Zoey does not talk. Ive never heard my 3-year-old daughter say Dad. She signs it, in her own way, just by pointing at her forehead.

The quick explanation is Zoey has a growth disability, and many children with Russell-Silver Syndrome struggle with speech. Her endocrinologist (growth doctor) assures us she will talk on her time, but in the meanwhile we communicate mostly through sign and expression.

My wife and I have beautiful people in our lives -- from day care providers to speech and physical therapists, family and friends -- who are encouraging and remind us of the importance of pushing ahead with Zoey.

Surrounding ourselves with support is needed in a world that has too many people who take thoughtful communication for granted.

Mitchell Republic Editor Luke Hagen.

Take, for example, a 150-word text message I got from a community member. She made sure to share a barrage of thoughts and opinions on vaccines, mandates and what she called misinformation. I never responded.

Social media comments are getting more outrageous. Ive heard the excuse that technology is polluting the world. But its not that.

We should be using these platforms for networking and sharing goodness instead of arguing.

In fact, my wife and I have found online groups for parents of children with RSS. Just the other day, a mom asked if anyone else was struggling with speech for their youngster. I spoke up. So did others, and just like that, a whoosh of knowledge and help was available.

Its easy to send questionable comments from behind a computer screen, but ask someone who deals with the general public if theyre immune from personal attacks and out-of-the-blue outrage.

My wife works in customer service and takes horrible phone calls and comments from people, people who have never met her, that leave her speechless. Why are people so mean? she asks me. The benefit of working from home, she says, is a black lab is one hug away from feeling better.

The point, though, is when did we lose sight of the Golden Rule? When did we forget that words have meaning? Has all of this grown from people living in their own world, and anything that makes them uncomfortable or challenges their viewpoint sets them off?

Especially in the news business, we realize what job we signed up for -- writing and reporting on stories that not everyone will like. You have to have thick skin, and thats that. For as long as Ive been working at this newspaper, and for as long as news stories will be written, we expect to hear from our readers. We want feedback -- we want your opinion, but make it a respectful response. Were hardly the only business that deals with all of this.

Unfortunately, we live in a time when people are willing to give feedback raw and unfiltered more than ever.

Its too bad more folks dont realize how much wisdom there is in silence. Not everything needs an immediate, thoughtless response.

What better time of year than now to reflect upon how we talk to each other?

There really is a lot of value in words. Just ask Zoey.

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Hagen: Have we forgotten that words have meaning? - The Daily Republic