Dude, that’s so gay. This rule is retarded. She’s bipolar, I swear.

All three of these statements, despite their negative meanings, are typical in the average teenage vocabulary. They may not seem all that bad to today’s youth, but that is simply because they do not grasp what it is they’re saying. The truth is, we’ve become numb to the meaning behind our words, and the time to change that is now.

There are plenty of examples of misused vocabulary in the world today, many of which can be heard in the hallways and classrooms. One that is commonly abused is the word bipolar. Most kids use this to describe the actions of another person, without realizing that being bipolar is actually a serious medical issue. Also, saying something is retarded or gay carries the same weight, but many kids don’t understand that their words are wrong and can hurt others around them.

Most people probably wonder why this is considered such a big deal, but they don’t realize the damage done by ignorant vocabulary. Misusing words not only harms the students they are aimed towards but the kids who speak them. Continuing to abuse vocabulary can lead to problems in other areas, including behavior.

So what can we do about it? By raising awareness in schools and communities everywhere, kids and others can be educated on the words they speak. Reducing the negativity in today’s vocabulary could also lead to a decline in negative activity among the youth population. So send people out with a purpose, a mission to help others become more aware of the language they use. A campaign to end the ignorance can help end the hurt that accompanies it, and that is pretty priceless.