Member-only story
The Utter Folly of Celebrating Profanity
“Profanity is the parlance of the fool. Why curse when there is such a magnificent language with which to discourse?” — Theodore Roosevelt
I don’t like using slang. I make an exception for once: It’s not cool to abuse people.
I don’t want to blame an entire generation when some youth wear impoliteness on their sleeves as a badge of honour, but there seems to be a troubling lack of civility among a few young people. They believe thay have the right to offend, not merely the right to freedom of speech.
During a recent street protest a few young people hurled abuses at the Indian Prime Minister. A 15 — year-old girl who was part of the crowd later posted a video abusing the Prime Minister. She later apologised and said,
“They influenced me and encouraged me to repeat those words, and I did. I am not able to look anyone in the eye. I appeal to the entire country to please forgive me. I am only 15 years old. This is my first and last mistake, and I will never repeat such an act again,”
The Prime Minister said he was pained by the abuses hurled against him and his late mother. He said the “misguided children” should be forgiven and guided on the right path.
There appears to be a concerted effort among few people, especially sections of the media and…
