Start by brainstorming with yourself on a topic that's familiar and dear to your heart. Like Yorkies!
1. Think of all the names your dog has been called -- by people you know and by people you meet in passing. Here are a few from my own experience: baby, angel, cutie, mutt, rat, yapster, snack (from owner of a larger dog).... etc.
All of these are just words. But they evoked wildly differing feelings in me...about my dog, about myself, about the person speaking. So you could make the case that each of these words had power.
Did you react to any of the above words? How?
2. Similarly, did any bystanders react to hearing those words spoken? What did those reactions add to the encounter? How did they make you feel?
3. Then, suppose somebody came on YT with a message that insulted Yorkies. What would be the wider effects? (This actually happened, sort of, a week or two ago.)
4. What if somebody wrote an essay in the "My Turn" column of Newsweek stating that Yorkies were dangerous to the public, or the potential bearers of a deadly disease? Or an Oprah guest claimed the same thing? Would these words have power? More or less power because they were in print/on TV?
Just some idea-starters. Best of luck! Carol |