Charla Nash and The Ugly Truth About Our Culture

When I read an article about Charla Nash’s recent interview with Oprah, I felt many emotions.  First, pity for Ms. Nash, but I read further to learn that the whole world seems to have joined in on a playground level bullying session.  Then, I became both angry and very sad.

I am unsure whether Oprah realized the possible repercussions of asking Ms. Nash to show her face. I am almost certain, though, that she was not expecting there to be talk of Charla Nash jokes, cartoons and even Halloween costumes, circling the globe.  I cannot imagine that Ms. Nash has been able to escape knowing that she has become the brunt of such cruelty, but I hope somehow that she has.

I did not look at Ms. Nash’s face, because I am a sensitive person and I know it would have broken my heart for her, but I do know one thing: nothing is as ugly as a heart that would make fun of or torment an already disfigured, wounded fellow human being.  To think of adding to the suffering she has already endured and continues to endure is really unthinkable to anyone with a heart. Whoever said that “sticks and stones…can never hurt me” was obviously mistaken as we all know that words can cut like a knife.

Perhaps we should all consider the golden rule again: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12).  Mom was right when she said “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”

I am not calling for hatred of those who are being unkind.  Far from it!  But what a better world this would be if we truly would consider the effects of our words.  After all “the tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” Proverbs 18:21.

Harness your tongue today and speak positive, encouraging things, not only to those you love, but to those who least deserve it.  They are generally the ones who need it most!  Consider the power of your words and use them for good!