Over the past couple of days the media has been filled with commentary on the recorded “conversation” allegedly between actor Mel Gibson and his ex-lover. In highly-emotional situations like this, particularly in the entertainment industry, it is best to be cautious about jumping to conclusions about the veracity of the charges and counter-charges.
Consequently, I will restrain myself from jumping to judgment. Rather, I want to point to the content of the recording as a more-than-adequate example of vituperative behavior. It is characterized by what we have come to know as verbal abuse. It is ludicrous that verbal abuse continues to escape being registered as a legal violation. Examples of it (such as the recording cited above) can be cited as corroborating examples of abusive behavior, but verbal abuse, itself, lacks firm recognition by the courts as a violation of one’s civil rights.
Despite this ambiguity, the prominence of vituperative behavior is rampant. Wikipedia reports :
Despite the fact that it is the most common type of abuse, verbal abuse is generally not taken as seriously as other forms of abuse. However, in reality; moderate to severe cases of verbal abuse (in which the victim is under constant attack, especially a child) is even more detrimental to a person’s health than physical abuse.
Violence in any form is destructive and requires response. Physical abuse results in bruises and other bodily damages. But verbal abuse affects the mind and the sense of well-being of an individual. It may never disappear, and is recognized as a re-occurring factor in victims who, themselves, become abusers.
Vituperative behavior is not restricted to the confrontational relationships among members of a family, however. It is seen also in more generic settings, where a speaker or writer uses strong language intended to damage or shut down a vulnerable person or group. We have been rehearsed many times by the rants and ravings of such groups as the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) which defines itself as an organization which is dedicated to the preservation of white society in America. The KKK sees white Americans as being under fire from non-whites and sympathizers with those who oppose white society (whatever that means.) The language used by such organizations is meant to appeal to the emotions of people who are incited by simplistic thinking. The results can be violence and death.
Less dramatic examples of vituperative behavior, however, are more subtle. They, too, rely upon simplistic answers to complex issues, and utilize abusive language in making their case. The recent practice of denouncing the Obama administration as being racist (or worse) in its drive to overcome some of the ills of our country has employed vituperative behavior at times. We live in a time when the media “calls out” such behavior and seems capable of stemming it early from being overly destructive. But the emotions of abuse are visible beneath the surface and are not lost on those who listen carefully.
It is difficult at times, however, to be specific in identifying this behavior. What is abusive language to one person is merely legitimate criticism to another. First Amendment rights become part of the conversation, and barriers get higher and more isolating.
The power of words and the way they are used is immense. Their use calls for careful employment and discreet editing.
Graphic Credit: verbal abuse
