Cyndi's Two Cents

Be intentional with your words

Commentary.

There are no more manholes in Berkeley, California.  Gone are bondsmen, craftsmen and firemen.  No more heirs, manpower or pregnant women.  Fraternities and sororities are no longer recognized.  No more he and she when referring to individuals. Gender-specific words have been banned from the city code. 

Confederate Railroad, a country rock/southern rock band founded in the 80’s in Marietta, Georgia was removed from the concert line-up at the DuQuoin (Illinois) State Fair because the band’s name includes a word some find offensive. 

Right or wrong, words are powerful.  The intent with which a word or phrase is delivered does not carry as much weight as most of us believe it should. 

In my early days of farm broadcasting, many of the men I worked with used terms of endearment such as sweetheart, honey, baby, darlin’, dear, sugar and love when addressing me.  A daily conversation with my contact at the National Stockyards in East St. Louis often began with “Darlin’ you won’t believe what this hog market is doing today. . .”

I knew his intent was not to degrade me personally or professionally in any way.  I also knew that if I was offended, all I had to do was ask him not to call me darlin’ anymore. 

There were plenty of bad actors back in those early days.  Both men and women who discriminated in their own way because of my age or because I was a female or maybe because they just didn’t like me.  I would be lying if I said there was no intentional harassment, but I stood up for myself when I could and walked away when that was the best option.  But that’s a story for another day.

Words are powerful.  Using the correct terminology and phrasing to effectively communicate with our customers and all consumers is more important than ever.  We live in an environment where many are fearful of their food because they have been misinformed about production practices.  Many people are confused by labeling and packaging and feel ashamed making a purchase that they have absolutely nothing to be ashamed about!

Maintaining animal health is of utmost importance on my farm as it should be on every other farm on this planet!  We use antibiotics for the same reason doctors use them in people:  to treat an illness.  It would be inhumane to allow an animal to suffer if we have a safe tool available to treat them.  We shouldn’t be ashamed of keeping unhealthy animals out of the food supply.

We should not be ashamed for growing crops conventionally.  There is no significant difference in the nutrient content of organic and conventionally produced foods. 

Genetically modified organisms should not be feared, but instead celebrated! Genetic engineering helps protect crops from diseases, drought and pests.  It is efficient. 

The tools and production methods we use on our farms everyday are important.  We should not be ashamed of using the names of these tools and the words that describe our practices.  If our intent is authentic, those words and phrases should be used and shared so our customers and consumers are familiar with instead of fearful of them.