Respect in Language

According to Dictionary.COM, one of the definitions of “respect” is the “deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment.” The denotation is simple enough and, generally, persons are capable of knowing when to apply this concept. Unfortunately, only a limited audience appears to be “worthy” of respect. For example, left and right, up and down, vulgarity flows more freely than water. For whatever reason, an unwritten rule makes it “acceptable” to use profanity amongst one another. Yet, somehow, it is avoided in front of elders, certain family members, and children you may influence. Apparently I am supposed to appreciate the more “candid” and “vivid” imagery and utilization of words. Some will claim they simply cannot get it out of their vocabulary or compose a sentence that will conjure up the same impact. To such lame excuses, I simply sigh and sway my head in disbelief. People often whine they are not treated equally. Nonetheless, on this simplest of acts, swearing, the same individuals cannot treat others equally and must resort to crude language for one individual, while acting proper with another. This illogical pattern, honestly and at its core, is nothing more than blatant hypocrisy. Worst of all, the use or coarse language, from the very onset, is surely not part of the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and has no place in Islam. Justify your mentality however you wish, but it will not hold any water. In the nearly infinite and limitless realm of vocabulary that exists, surely there are better words to use than those you would abstain from utilizing in front of one’s parents, for example. Moreover, aside from the sunnah aspect, I am not recalling such words passing through the Quran’s 6,000+ verses. Quite honestly, if such “flowery” words have to be resorted to, it seems you have a pathetic form of argumentation. Such vocabulary does not enhance your argument, make you wiser, stronger, cooler, or tougher. Along these lines, even Malcolm X came to a similar conclusion in noting the weakness of mind in someone who uses such methods of discourse. In the end, amongst certain persons, there is a reason you do not likely utilize harsh language and it is called respect. I simply suggest you RESPECT everyone. It will not harm you and, quite possibly, may make you a better logician. At the very least, it may encourage others to respect you more and lessen the sins on your plate, come the Day of Judgment.