How Do We Stop the Insults and Dismissive Labels?

Proverbs 24:11-12 (New Living Translation)

11 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;
      save them as they stagger to their death.
 12 Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”
      For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
   He who guards your soul knows you knew.
      He will repay all people as their actions deserve.

About a decade ago, one of my children was guilty of witnessing some verbal bullying and not saying anything to stop it.  I found out through the “mom-vine” and was very upset.  I made unnamed child memorize this verse.  Of course, he/she didn’t actually see anyone being led off to an unjust death, but the principle still stands.  Even in Nazi Germany, it just started with verbal taunts and insults, which led to social ostracism, then confiscation of their possessions and businesses, then government-sanctioned death.

So it’s our responsibility, as our brother’s keeper and as those who love others first, to speak up.  Sometimes all we need to say is a short, “Be quiet. That’s uncalled for.”  Or “Inappropriate.”  Or “She’s my friend, so I will take what you say personally.” This is especially important in our political environment today.  People can feel justified in insulting and taunting people on the other side of the political aisle.  But that’s the first step toward boxing them into a stereotype where you don’t see them as actual individuals, and then it becomes too easy to dehumanize them.  I want to challenge us all to stop lumping people into political categories and then slamming them or shaming them for their beliefs.

If you’ve ever heard anybody say anything effective to stop bullying, reply below to give us ideas.