Should the “L-Word” Be Banned? [Ethically Speaking]

Some words are too politically incorrect to use. For instance, the “N-word” has been effectively removed from the American language. Not only is it no longer used in common speech, it is being removed from works of literature, such as Mark Twain novels. Any word is just a word, but its use or context can inflict hurt and pain. The adage of “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not true. I remember when I was in elementary school, and children used this phrase to protect themselves from vicious verbal attacks from their peers. The pain from hateful words pierced through any comfort that this phrase provided. Our words have an impact on others.