Letter to the editor: Use of bad words shouldn't define a person

Dear Mt. Lebanon Karens (“Mt. Lebanon school director who used profanity during virtual meeting resigns,” Sept. 21, TribLIVE):

Have you ever called a man a nickname for Richard in a moment of anger or frustration? Do you know anyone who has used that word toward a person or a group of people? Did the use of that word indicate you are a sexist? Did the use of that word indicate you hate men or disqualify you from making judgments on a board as it relates to gender issues — or any issue for that matter?

My assumption is most people who have used that word are not sexist, and its use does not disqualify them from making rational judgments in a work, not-for-profit or governmental setting. The word likely was used in a moment of anger or frustration, albeit in an unproductive and inappropriate fashion.

So why then do we character assassinate a person for using an equivalent word? I’m not defending the use of the word (either gender version of the word), but the use of a word in and of itself is no indication of a person’s view of another group or their ability to lead.

Shame on us as a society. Yes, for using vulgar language in any context, but more so for being so quick to assassinate someone’s character for a poor choice of words (even extremely poor choice of words). We seem to have forgotten two basic lessons we learned as children: 1) Sticks and stones, and 2) wash your hands.

Let’s all grow up and stop the hypocrisy.

Brian Hardy

Hampton