Arizona Bell

By Giggles Anderson

There is civility,
there is the right
to express oneself,
and there is
the random misuse of
colorful language
that does not add anything
to the commentary.

This is not about
limiting the use
of the s-word, n-word,
f-word, g-word,
r-word, a-word
(as in a crowded gym
full of high school
basketball fans
screaming "Arizona"
at the visiting team
of mostly Latino students...).

This is about realizing
that regular words,
with a certain tone
and context
can be just as hurtful,
inappropriate
and distasteful
as the slurs.