"First, do
no harm." This statement is the first concept I learned in my 1991
EMT class. The point behind it was to teach the importance of not making a
patient’s injury or illness worse through the treatment given. For example, if
a patient has an injured leg, don’t move him until the leg has been immobilized
so that it cannot be further injured, possibly turning a temporary injury into
a permanent disability. However, this idea can be applied to many aspects of
life.
One of these
aspects of life involves what we say to others. It has long been known that
words do cause pain and heartbreak. Children have been taught for many years to
be careful of what they say, lest their words come back to haunt them later in
life. Kids have been bullied verbally to the point of committing suicide. Words
can be used in the workplace to keep employees not only from furthering their
careers, but also to keep them from realizing their potential in their current
positions. Words can be used at home to keep an abused spouse or child from
leaving. As one of my friends pointed out, words are used to cut people with
opposing political views to the quick. Words are being used to end friendships
and alienate family members—over a difference of political opinions.
I have, for many
years, incorporated the concept of “First, do no harm” into all areas of my own
life. I have treated others gently. I consider how my actions may affect
another’s life. I will choose to remove myself from someone’s presence if I am
causing them angst. I have learned to choose my words carefully, and will walk
away from someone rather than say something rash in the heat of the moment that
I may regret later. I make it a point to share my thoughts and opinions when
invited to do so, but I do not attempt to sway the other person to my political
or religious views. I may attempt to convince another that my way of completing
a task is right, but I am more likely to complete the task myself rather than
impose my way of doing things on others.
In her Facebook
post, a friend noted the extent of vitriol spewed over opposing political
views. She reminded those who read her posts that we all have differing
opinions, and issued a heartfelt plea to those who read her post to take care
that they remember to love each other, and not divide themselves over political
ideals. My friend has a valid point. The upcoming election will determine who
becomes our next President, but the division over the election will continue on
for longer than the new President’s term in office. Families are being torn
apart, friendships forever destroyed—over an election that will soon be no more
than an event in American history. Does the outcome of this election have the
potential to cause America more problems in the long run? Yes, absolutely. Does
it have the power to bring about change that can improve the American way of
life? Again, the answer is an overwhelming yes. There will likely be good and
bad repercussions of this election no matter who becomes President. The
problems that come about from this election will eventually be solved, in some
form or another. However, the broken families and friendships will remain so
for years, if not lifetimes to come.
Words are being
used to do irreparable harm. It is time to stop using words as knives. It is
time to consider how our words affect others. It is possible to share
viewpoints without verbally assaulting each other. Debating classes and clubs
have existed for years to teach students how to convince others of their own
positions. None of these debates have included using words to hurt others.
Students can learn to thoroughly research their positions and back up their
opinions with such research. When arguing with others, insulting people is more
likely to cause further division than to convince them of one’s own point. It
is more likely to hurt feelings than to sway the other person’s opinion. It’s
time for us to fall back on the tenet I first learned in my EMT class: “First,
Do No Harm.”
