Liba Hopeson, BTC, Pfutsero
Everybody is right and everybody is wrong. Does it sound absurd? As we read articles and rejoinders about vexed Naga political issue, prohibition act and 33% reservation for women, this statement could be proved correct. Sometimes, the term ‘freedom’ is like an impulse, not instinct, that entice us to do evil or something that bring dire consequences. Since there is freedom of speech and expression, do we think and believe that we can speak and write anything, though we are not animals? If we do that, can we still be called good children of God or good Christians? Yes, we don’t want to be wrong in almost all the situations; hence, we resort to doing something for self-justification, either in words or deeds. One of my friends often says there is no universal truth in the world. Whatever a statement or belief is true or good for millions, it would be still wrong for some people. Therefore, when many good writers write splendid and thought-provoking articles and publish in the news papers, they definitely thought that their ideas and opinions are good and right. Indeed, their beautiful words, catchy sentences and appealing notions captivate and impress thousands of people. Nonetheless, their words which were viewed as valuable or mesmerizing may still prick and infuriate many, for it could appear to them as ludicrous, futile and meaningless. So, despite of the fascinating sentences they use and appealing ideas they put it in writing, it would still dissatisfy and displease many. This is the reason we come across many counter-attacks in rejoinder(s), with insulting, offensive and invective words.
However, when I read a rejoinder which is replying and resorting to a previous article written by someone, I don’t consider that the writer of the article is also absolutely wrong. Definitely, it would be right for many and wrong for many. But it is a good lesson for every writer that we ought to refrain from certain extreme prejudiced ideas, vocabularies and construction of words, for it may be absolutely wrong to someone. We may think that our thoughts and words are right and good, but it may really hurt and displease somebody. The expression of conflicting and different ideas in a rejoinder proves that the person who is addressed to is not absolutely right, and so he/she has something to learn from it. The ideas and words in the rejoinder may appear unacceptable and unappealing to the person who is addressed to, but still, with his/her utter disapproval, something can be learnt. For, it depicts that there is somebody who rejects the article or the ideas in it. How harsh or rude the words may be in the rejoinder, the writer of the article is signaled that, his/her writing is incomplete. So there are lessons to learn. But, I don’t mean to say we should write an article which would please or satisfy every reader, nor do I intend to say that we should never express strong ideas and thoughts.
Irrefutably, it is impossible to satisfy all the readers. We may also express our thoughts intensely in writing, but there are methods to make it acceptable. For instance, some seem to be harsh in their speech or words, but the listeners do not feel bad nor they are annoyed. It is like two different pieces of equal-sized king chilies – one is very hot and one is not very hot. One more example could be describing a person who is not healthy. Many would say, he is very thin or she is very thin, but we learn that, it is better to say he is slim or she is slim. Or one can say he is not so healthy. Both carry the same meaning, but the expression differs – one is mild and the other little impolite. Therefore the usage of words and sentences matters a lot in expressing one’s ideas and thoughts.
When one come across an article quite disagreeable or unacceptable, he/she would write a rejoinder in response to it. Actually, the writer of the article is right and publishes his/her article in the local dailies. But to the writer of the rejoinder it is wrong. Hence, he is right in justifying his or her standpoints. So, both are right and wrong. Indeed it is extremely interesting to read rejoinders which often appear in the newspapers. The person to which the writer of the rejoinder is addressing to might be very wrong, but the rejoinder which is right become wrong and contain many flaws. The simple reason is that, the writer of the rejoinder tries to put the writer of the article under his feet and trample on it. He may be right in thinking that writer of the article is absolutely wrong, but when he tries to prove it wrong, he becomes wrong by using abusive and callous words.
When we try to prove somebody wrong and win over him/her, the words should not be very offensive, humiliating and abusive. For when we express our thoughts which diabolically hurt the sentiments of somebody, we become wrong for doing it, although it was intended to do it right. Therefore, those who write rejoinder ought to have second-thought and write, for failure to do it will prove his right-act, wrong. It is virtually obvious that the person who is addressed to in the rejoinder will write back with exasperation if he is violently attacked or hurt. So, a rejoinder which generates another awful rejoinder is not a good rejoinder. Of course, it is not easy to write an article or rejoinder well pleasing to everyone, but it is possible to refrain from adding fuel to the fire. It is not possible to impose one’s ideas to someone to imbibe and follow, but it is possible to leave a room of choice – acceptance or denial. Hence, a rejoinder should not be a way to trample down somebody, but to clarify, rectify and persuade in a good way. Yes, we learn through mistakes, and the writer of this article has perhaps learnt much from the errors and flaws of many write-ups – articles and rejoinders. And if there are flaws and errors in this article, both in ideas and words, it is a room for everyone to learn.
Just as it is impossible to tame a tongue, it is also impossible to tame the mind, though influence and persuasion is possible. Writing books and articles will continue as long as life exists. And since, most of us do not want to be wrong, writing rejoinder will not cease. But, it is imperative to know or remember that words are powerful. We talk a lot about the dangers of consuming excessive alcohols, drugs, tobacco, smoking and other harmful elements, but sadly, we don’t care our words, which are very hazardous. It is significant to know that words can heal and wound. Yes, the world was created by ‘Word’ with words. Various healings, miracles and many mighty deeds were performed through words. Words were also employed in cursing, devastating and other unwanted happenings. We hardly realize that, even in Bible, words are compared to fire (which can destroy many things) and poison, which kills life.
Words can instigate violence and perform many unwanted elements. Therefore, we ought to think and rethink before we speak or write. Through articles and rejoinders, we can influence and change a person to be good. But through them, there is high possibility of destroying a vast forest. So, we can learn many things from rejoinder. Everybody is right and wrong. But, when we are right we should not make ourselves wrong, and when we try to rectify the wrong, we should not do it wrongly. Now, I become the third person who is right by way of throwing suggestions to the writers of the articles and rejoinders. If my ideas and words appear like thorns to you, consider that the door for implications of my write-up is opened. Everybody is right and everybody is wrong. But, I want to say that, the ideas and words in this write-up are not like tattooed words, which are hard to erase, but they are like words written in a white-board, which can be rubbed off as you wish, whether a portion or everything. I don’t discourage anybody to write rejoinder, for we learn through it, notwithstanding, the idea that words are like ‘fire’ and ‘poison’ ought to be remembered.
Indeed I don’t deny the fact that we have freedom of expressing our views and opinions, yet that freedom is not to provoke and humiliate others. I’m looking forward to reading many good articles which will be true to the writers, and rejoinders to those articles which will be wrong to the writers, so that I learn different things from different persons. I need to take both the right and wrong, because the ‘right’ is ‘wrong’ and the ‘wrong’ is ‘right. If there is no rejoinder for an article, it doesn’t mean that it is perfect and good. And an article getting rejoinder(s) does not imply that it is awful or wrong. But, while trying to prove ourselves right, if we provoke and disgrace others, it is just like simply cursing the darkness instead of lighting a candle. So, is there not any lesson from rejoinder? I believe it is not hollow.
I, being a person who has opinionated and orthodox views certain times, especially in critical theological arguments and debates, many a times had bitter experiences, and hence I learn that, sometimes, overcoming, winning or getting victory in something is not in relentless assertion(s) of my stances and rights alone, but in giving up my rights and privileges and losing my life. This idea is also directly or indirectly linked with my method of serving God to win lost souls and gain Christ. Truly, I have been trying to practice it though changing an old habit is not easy. So, will you also agree with me in this, lower your head sometimes, become wrong though you are right and try to get losing-victory by giving up your rights and privileges? Or, will you still be intensely guided by the belief that, there is freedom of speech and expression, and continue to lift up your head and try to prove somebody wrong? It’s purely one’s own choice. However, I never mean that we should stop writing. Let’s continue to write, but in our write-up, I deem that, it’s wise to avoid pungent chilies and ferocious threats.
