Letter - Power of words

As a professional writer for many years, I know the power of words. The right words can inspire, encourage and lift the human spirit. The wrong words can hurt and humiliate innocent people. Journalists' words have won wars but they have also destroyed reputations. As a reporter, I try to work under the credo of "do no harm."

The writer of "Washrooms locked for good reason" (Feb 2015 Letters) seems to have forgotten the rules of basic common decency. He describes the unfortunate person in the washroom as a "very dirty derelict" and continues to pass judgement on a perfect stranger. I find the writer's choice of words to be offensive and mean-spirited. They serve only to unfairly demonize and dismiss a fellow human being as not being worthy of compassion. It is ironic that the writer states that the stranger's response "could not be printed in this paper" because it "was less than desirable" - right after making a derogatory slur that most newspapers would not have printed. 

The inebriated man in the washroom is somebody's son, perhaps a husband, a brother. His value as a human being is no less because he has hit rock bottom. He does not deserve to be written off by someone who never knew him in better days.

I would advise the letter writer to be more careful in the future in his choice of words. And to remember that wise saying,  "There but for the grace of God, go I."

By Doreen Marion Gee