Sensitivity and Respect: Not as Simple as They Sound

Sometimes people simply do not think before they talk, and that definitely comes into play when dealing with those of different cultures and communities. There is such a diverse range of people in the world that it can be difficult to make sure that all language will not insult them. Whether it is due to ignorance or pure dislike, derogatory terms are thrown at those different than oneself all of the time. For example, a homosexual male may be offended by the use of the term "queer," but others may not. This concept makes it challenging when writing about people since they may or may not take offense to certain terms. The most important thing for journalists when dealing with situations like this is to think through the terms they select to write, and then hopefully respect for diversity will be shown through the choice of words.