7/27/2019 The Importance of Language In The Political Process

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Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy 200 East 30th Street, Austin, Texas 78705 www.texasimpact.org

512.472.3903

TheTexasInterfaithCenterforPublicPolicyisafaith-based,non-

profitorganizationestablishedin2011,providingtheologically

groundedpublicpolicyanalysistopeopleoffaithandotherTexans.

TheCenteristheresearchandeducationpartnerofTexasImpact,an

interfaithlegislativeadvocacynetwork.

The Importance of Language in the Political ProcessFaith Communities: How can we encourage a tone of civility and language that respects an

individuals humanity and worth?

BackgroundLast special session, and this current one,

legislation has been proposed regarding thepunishment for a capital felony committed by an

individual younger than 18 years of age.

The language used to describe these young peoplehas focused more on the nature of the crimes

committed and the importance of ensuring strictpunishment, while limiting any possibility for

future appeals. Texas religious leaders find someof this language troubling.

Someone who commits an offense is not anoffender; they are someone who has done

something. The action does not define the wholeperson. They may also do good things and they

will certainly fit into other categories that can offera different definition like parent or friend. By

insisting that the offense overcomes all other partsof the person we are condemning them to a sub-

human category for whom there is no hope.

Frances Cook

The Faith Communitys ConcernsThe Texas religious community is concerned with

the language that we use when discussing the leastof these in our society. Cardinal Roger Mahoney

stated it best by saying, Any society, any nation,is judged on the basis of how it treats its weakestmembers the last, the least, the littlest.

Many of our traditions share this understanding and

remind us that we are all imperfect. As we eachstrive to become better people, our traditions guide

us in various practices of contrition, repentance,

reparation, and reintegration that bring us into rightrelationship with God, neighbor, and community.

The Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditionsremind us that every person is created in the image

and likeness of God and has an inviolable dignity,value, and worth, regardless of race, gender, class,

or other human characteristics. The universal callto care for the least of these includes even those

in prison or accused of a crime.

In Hebrews 13:3, followers are instructed:Remember those in prison as though you were inprison with them; those who are being tortured, as

though you yourselves were being tortured.

RecommendationsIn recognition that the way we speak of certaingroups might make it easier to treat them as other

and that the criminal justice arena is dominated bymany stereotypes and prejudices, we strongly

encourage policy makers to:

- Choose words carefully. Think critically about

the implications of using certain terms and the

assumptions underlying them.

- Use person-centered language, naming person

first and action second.

- Treat people with respect and dignityregardless of what they have done.

- Remember that when talking about both

offenders and victims, all are human beings

first.