Words Hurt

Photo from Fabounab

This picture is very metaphorical.  It illustrates the impact that words can have.  When I came across it, it had me stop and wonder.  I mean, I have always heard that words hurt, but it's not a physical pain.  But looking at this picture really made me think of the hurt that it causes.  Bullying, in the form of words, affects peope just as much as physical violence.

Starting with the color gradient, this picture shows the issue as black and white.  It is plain and simple.  Name-calling and other verbal bullying is cruel.  Whether or not that is debatable is not an issue within this picture because in this context there is no middle ground.  Furthermore, the black and white aspect shows that it is an age old issue.  I know I have talked to my grandmother about how when she was a child people bullied her.  Whether you lived in the 1930's or the 2000s, verbal bullying is a prevalent problem.

The most obvious part of this picture is the arm coming out of the first man's mouth and punching the second man.  It shows that whatever comes out of his mouth (words) is harming the other man.  Metaphorically, it is harming him just as bad as a physical punch would.  The hurtful words -- some I noticed were idiot, worthless, hated, death, etc-- create a semblance of an arm, hence the punching of the second guy.

Putting all of this together, the photograph sends a clear, distinct message.  Words can hurt.  I could name many quotes that try to do the same.  "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" and others.  But somehow, I feel like this picture packs a more powerful punch.