Words have a meaning

I recently received an email copy of the Keshet Newsletter (Keshet being an organization working for the full inclusion of GLBT Jews) and the BBYO Advisor, "e-connect." In both they talked about bullying as it affects Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender youth. They included the letter "Q" (GLBTQ) and defined that letter as "queer" instead of "questioning", which, I understand, has been the accepted definition.

The word Queer offends me just like I'm offended by the "N" word and other words like them. They have, historically, been used to inflict pain, embarrassment and fear.

It seems some in the African-American community, primarily younger people, have taken the "N" word as an empowering tool. It's certainly not empowering to those like former Ambassador Andrew Young, Congressman Charlie Rangel, Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and other leaders of the African-American community. Martin Luther King never used it. Neither did Whitney Young, Thurgood Marshall, Bayard Rustin nor anyone else of character.

I've heard it said Jews are the biggest anti-Semites, denigrading their religion, traditions and people. But just like the African-American community we're a member of our group. We're Jews. We can use those words.

However, those outside those groups can't. If a white person used the "N" word they'd be accused of being racist. If any Gentile used a Jewish slur they'd be jumped on as being anti-Semitic.

Just like the GLBT community, we can't use the word Queer even though they do.

The word Queer might be empowering to some, probably those already "out." However, to a youngster who is questioning their sexuality, the "Q" word is something they've heard only in a negative context. Perhaps not to them directly, but a glance held too long and the admonition, "What are you, queer?" Then the bullying begins because of a "possibility" the youngster might be different. And the kid goes deeper into the closet, but the bullying continues unabated.

At the very least, just like the "N" word, just like "kike" and "yid" and the rest of those words, it's insensitive and that's the opposite of what BBYO (the world's largest Jewish youth organization) tries to teach. It's the antithesis of what I've been teaching my BBYO kids for the past 35 years.

I know what it's like to be bullied. For four miserable high school years my dental overbite got me equated to "Bucky Beaver," the mascot of Pepsodent toothpaste. My tormentors saw me as weak and vulnerable and embarrassed and took full advantage of it.

BBYO and Keshet should be promoting diversity, inclusion and brotherhood, like every other youth organization, instead of using "buzz" words that are insensitive, abusive and painful for even one member of a group. Using those words are totally unnecessary despite the fact some in that group may be using them for whatever purpose, good or ill.

They, and everyone else, should refrain from using those words that only incite and invite divisiveness.