A New View of Old Words

Two disparate eyes with “2025 words” and a drawing of a rat.

Words have been on my mind a lot lately.

How we use them. How certain words are heralded one day and demonized the next.

How the meanings change over time.

How people try to erase words, with an “out of sight, out of mind” overview.

So I thought I’d take a moment in the start of this quarter, to remind myself, and you, of a few words you might want to take the time to consider or reconsider.

Firstly, there are no inherently “bad” words. Words are just compilations of letters an sounds. It’s the meanings we give those words, the emotions, and intentions behind them that make them bad or good.

Let me throw “inclusion” at you. The dictionary defines this word as “The action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure.” Seems harmless enough. I’m of the remembrance of my mom reminding me to include a particular classmate to my birthday party so they didn’t feel left out.

Doesn’t that feel like something we should be doing? Including people?

How about “woke?” It’s such a toxic phrase in this time and it’s meaning has become twisted and politically partisan. It’s a word that started in the Black American vernacular in the 1940’s, meaning to “become aware, particularly as it relates to issues of social justice.” It seems to me that African Americans have, out of necessity, to spend their entire lives woke.

Now, in 2025 America, being aware, informed, educated and/or empathetic to the concerns and plights of other human beings is actually denigrated and sneered at. Why?

Here’s another fraught word: “diversity.” In and of itself, it’s a cool sounding, four syllable word. In practice, it’s the cornerstone of America herself. We’ve been taught from a very young age - School House Rock, anyone? - that America is a melting pot, and what makes us so special is the assortment of people from all over the globe who came to this land for a better life. Research has repeatedly shown us that variety - of perspectives, ideas, and talents make us better. From restaurants to business conglomerates, diversity, meaning “a range of different things,” has helped shape and build the U.S. into the wealthiest nation on Earth.

The fact is undeniable, so why is it now being denied and legislated against?

Since I started writing this post, several other words have come to the fore…

Like WOMEN.

Apparently use of the word women is becoming verboten under the current administration. It’s Orwellian Newspeak - erase the word, erase the idea, erase the person. As a woman, it’s very hard to hear these things and look around and wonder why alarm bells are not constantly ringing. In Owell’s 1984, the totalitarian government condemns individuality, free speech and critical thinking. Seeing any parallels yet?

Here’s a link to an ever-growing list of newly “discouraged” words by this administration. This isn’t a case where a word has outgrown it’s original meaning or current usefulness, or is even now seen as biased. No, this is disallowing words because they undermine a singular view of the world, a world in which everyone must look and act a certain way. A world of them and us. Different and unique is bad in this sad new world.

Let me leave you with one last word: empathy.

It’s a good thing to care about other people. It’s a good thing to advocate for other people, even when it doesn’t directly benefit you. That’s what community is supposed to be. That’s what good leadership is.

Rising tides will lift or sink all the boats on the ocean. It seems to me that we should be more concerned with the guy(s) standing far inland and telling us our boat is fine as the tsunami hits.

LB Adams is the CEO of Practical Dramatics, LLC. She is a communication & public speaking coach, author and keynote speaker.