2020 06 07
作者 Article by: Joanne Loo
從用詞開始提升社會和諧
最近美國人民再次以聲音和行動來表達他們對種族主義的强烈不滿。其實種族主義不只發生在美國，也不只在有暴力的事件中才會“傷害”人。
在十九至二十世紀，加拿大政府曾經以稅收和法案，有系統地和不平等地對待華人，至2006年向華人道歉。本地和各地亦有人以不友善的代號稱呼和取笑華人，聽到的人自然心裏不好受。
但是我們也要反過來細想：我們的日常的言語中，有沒有不禮貌和歧視的成分呢？粵語中有不少例子：有稱呼歐裔背景人士、非洲裔背景人士、南亞裔背景人士的“非人” 或“次人一等” 的代號，還有取笑人高矮肥瘦、年紀、健康、精神狀況、學習能力、甚至家庭環境等的不禮貌標籤。不幸地，很多人已經習慣了用這些字眼，沒有留意背後的含義。這些代號和標籤不但不能鼓勵人，更會傷害人的自尊心和損害人際關係。 7
孔子說過：“己所不欲，勿施於人”。馬太福音7：12記載：“你們願意人怎樣待你們，你們也要怎樣待人。”
要提升種族和社會和諧是要從個人做起的。讓我們首先加倍留意我們所説的話，以互敬互愛的精神來對待神的兒女吧。
Improving societal harmony via the use of words – Joanne Loo
Recently, Americans once again used their voices and actions to express their extreme dissatisfaction with racism. In fact, racism exists beyond USA, and “injuries” can be caused by more than just physical violence.
In the 19th and 20th century, the Canadian government systematically and unfairly treated Chinese people using taxes and regulations. It finally apologized in 2006. Locally and internationally, some people used unfriendly labels to refer to Chinese people and laugh at them. It was naturally unpleasant to hear those words.
However, let us reflect: In the daily language, are there components that are impolite or prejudiced? The Cantonese dialect contains “non-human” or “less human” terms that refer to people of European, African, and South Asian descent. There are also rude labels that ridicule people’s stature, age, health, mental status, learning ability, or even home environment. Unfortunately, for many people, using these words have become a habit, and they do not notice the meaning behind. These terms and labels not only fail to encourage people, they even hurt self-esteem and damage interpersonal relationships.
Confucius said, “If you do not wish to have it, do not impose it on others.” Matthew 7:12: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” 8
To improve racial and societal harmony, we need to start from the individual level. Let us pay more attention to the words we say and treat God’s children with mutual respect and love.