Content Crafting With intention

Think back to when you were young. What was the first thought that came to mind? Was it a vacation? Your first pet. A holiday, perhaps? Undoubtedly, the first memory that came to mind was pleasant. Childhood, especially when it feels somewhat distant, often stirs pleasant thoughts - nostalgia has a way of softening the hard edges, turning the corners of the mouth upward, even if unconsciously. But, if you give it a little more time…

There’s another thought that wedges its foot in the door if you aren’t quick enough to close it.

I distinctly remember being called a nerd. Honestly, I fit the description. In middle school my hair was a poofy nest of curls, my clothes were hand-me-downs from an older brother who, despite my fervent desires, would always be a giant in physical stature compared to me. I always looked as though I had been thrown into a washing machine, but instead of the clothes shrinking, it was boy in them who had practically evaporated. Still, I had just enough goofball charm to be accepted by the clique of popular kids while never truly being one of them. Nerd. Sounds about right, doesn’t it?

There’s a certain amount of cachet that seems to come with the word now. Geek. Dork. The words still have teeth; but, the bite is not the same. You can probably list a handful of “nerds” who are quite successful without even giving it much effort. Bill Gates. Mark Zuckerberg. Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Tina Fey. There has definitely been a changing of the guard in the fiefdom of nerdery. Despite the newfound connotation associated with these terms, I still remember the power they conveyed in my youth. Unlike “dirty” words, profanities could be used by anyone, these terms could only be used derisively by someone who was definitively not described by them. They had power. I feel quite comfortable saying that one thing middle school students should never be allowed to wield, is power.

There are, without a doubt, worse words than “nerd” or “geek.” These terms pale in comparison with any word filled with hate, any word used to make someone feel small because of gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion. There are certain words that seem to resist change. They taste sour no matter the usage. And that matters. Sometimes, they are used as overt challenges, driven by anger or fear. Other times they are born of ignorance or thoughtlessness. Words matter. They have power. They live lives. They adapt and change. We need to adapt and change with them. We need to be vigilant and cognizant of the many ways we choose to communicate. We shouldn’t fear language; however, we also shouldn’t use language to make others fearful.

So, pardon my pun, but I’d like to use more nerdy words. Words that fit moments better than my hand-me-down, knock-off Members Only jacket. Words that inspire positive change. Words that elevate and celebrate. Words that disarm hatred and bigotry rather than stoke their flames.