logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Words most certainly matter
commentary
February 14, 2024
Words most certainly matter
By Joe Dorman CEO ? OICA,

OKLAHOMA CITY – Words: the foundation of language, simple letters strung together to form a word. Then words are used to create sentences, then paragraphs, and eventually complete stories shared between human beings.

Sometimes, words are used to express love and joy, while in other instances, words are used to hurt or seek some negative satisfaction for an individual. In our American society, we value the use of words as almost sacred as we protect free speech in our United States Constitution, except in instances when words can incite violence or harm, such as yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater.

Politicians use words to communicate a direction through policy, with oftentimes an emphasis for seeking support through the public by encouraging action. Many words have become aligned with political dialogue, and many have shifted in meaning.

It is common practice for politicians, elected and those influencing elections, to survey the public in a poll with these words to evaluate if the use is effective in messaging.

Different words or phrases are used to paint a picture for shaping an agenda. The words “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” or DEI for short, have recently been used by political figures on both sides of the aisle to shape feelings.

Diversity is “the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, or other factors.” Equity is “justice according to natural law or right,” or freedom from bias or favoritism. Inclusion means “the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups.”

Now, these words can and have been politicized by both sides of the political spectrum. An example is “equity” which has been characterized to align with socialism. Obviously, policies associated with equity should be reviewed and judged based upon their intent and structure rather than a misguided fear enhanced by agenda.

When enforced in governmental policy, whether justly or not, as many people feel slighted as those who feel support from implementing some policies aligned with DEI. In contrast, many corporations and institutions have instituted DEI policies to enhance awareness for breaking down barriers which divide people by race and physical ability due to a condition.

Accessibility, the practice of making information, activities, and/or environments sensible, meaningful, and usable for as many people as possible. This word and its definition are a core DEI principle of a popular coffee shop in Oklahoma which hires individuals with circumstances which often prevent them from finding jobs with other companies.

Any word can be used as a dangerous tool, but it depends on who is using the word, the way it is being used, and the feelings it generates from those listening.

On Monday, Gov. Kevin Stitt delivered his State of the State address to lawmakers on the first day of the Second Session of the 59th Oklahoma Legislature. Over the next four months, we will hear words used by officials to communicate messaging through debate in legislative bodies, as well as speeches from politicians shaping agendas.

We will also hear a torrent of words from candidates leading up to the elections in November. It is up to you to use your own critical thinking skills to not only hear these words, but also to determine what is used with bias or for the greater good. I would ask our politicians to choose their words wisely as in this election year, words will most certainly matter.

The annual 4th of July Fireworks show
A: Main, news
The annual 4th of July Fireworks show
July 9, 2025
Eufaula’s population was swollen over the weekend as thousands of out-of-towners joined locals to watch the annual 4th of July Fireworks show, held Friday, July 4. The display took place over the Eufa...
A: Main, news
City gets more attorneys; OKs growth plan
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 9, 2025
New-and-former City Manager Jacob Foos continues to make changes at city hall. Shortly after being re-hired for the position he left in September, 2021, Foos issued a statement that he was establishin...
Local resident stars in U.S. Cellular ad
A: Main, news
Local resident stars in U.S. Cellular ad
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 9, 2025
In all of her 58 years Louana Christie, EHS Class of ’85, never thought she would appear before a camera. Movie making was for her older sister, Selina Jayne Dornan, former Eufaula mayor and who once ...
A: Main, news
Eufaula school feels the chill from Trump’s funding freeze
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 9, 2025
When the Trump administration announced this week it was freezing over $70 million in education funding earmarked for Oklahoma, it surprised a lot of administrators. Eufaula School Superintendent Mont...
A: Main, news
Trump freezes over $70 million in state’s education funds
July 9, 2025
States won’t receive funds from six federal programs, including after-school care and English learner support, until further notice. NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL OKLAHOMA VOICE OKLAHOMA CITY — The Trump admini...
Noah Alexander trades football uniform for West Point uniform
A: Main, news
Noah Alexander trades football uniform for West Point uniform
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 9, 2025
Noah Alexander will begin his senior year at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., this fall. It seems like only yesterday he was a stand-out running back for the Eufaula Ironheads, ...
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Bud McCombs to speak to Friends of Library
news
Bud McCombs to speak to Friends of Library
By LENORE BECHTEL 
July 9, 2025
How Eufaula happened to exist will be Friend’s speaker’s topic at the Eufaula Memorial Library at 1 p.m. Friday, July 18, When Eufaula was only an intersection, the city’s founding fathers lived in a ...
news
Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 9, 2025
CHECOTAH — Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. The service ...
Calls needed to protect National Weather Service operations
commentary
Calls needed to protect National Weather Service operations
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO 
July 9, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – We at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) extend our deepest condolences to families tragically impacted by the recent flooding in Texas. Flooding along the Guadalupe Rive...
news
Jeff Starling launches campaign for attorney general
July 9, 2025
TULSA ––Jeff Starling, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Energy and Environment, has officially announced his candidacy for Attorney General of Oklahoma. Starling is a conservative, attorney, businessman, and d...
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
commentary
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
July 9, 2025
Of my 56 years of being in this world, 50 of those years I have been filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I was only six years old when I attended my first Tiger Mount...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy