How can words affect the way we see the world?

"Yet English grammar demands that I refer to my esteemed healer asit,not as a respected teacher, as all plants are understood to be in Potawatomi." (Kimmerer)

using words as weapons takes away the respect things and people deserve. it takes away our respect to ourselves too

"Now, because we allow others to create these definitions for us, we inherently accept them to be true, whether it's a conscious decision or not. So at some point, the line between perspective and reality begins to blur." (Amanat)

wrap up inclusiveness and respect

maybe give more ideas on how to add to the conversation

overview of why words are important

words are powerful.

"Grammar, especially our use of pronouns, is the way we chart relationships in language and, as it happens, how we relate to each other and to the natural world." (Kimmerer)

"The grammar of animacy is an antidote to arrogance; it reminds us that we are not alone." (Kimmerer)

words used towards self and nature is impactful on the way we view it.

OPEN UP WITH THIS AS 1ST AND 2ND PARAGRAPH

"But every word we write in the narrative of our own lives, we come closer to uncovering what's beneath our own masks, maybe even embracing that true misfit, that true crazy one within." (Amanat)

is that it's human nature to follow the actions of the masses. We repeat and/or believe what people tell us to believe - about others and about ourselves. So why not tell stories that are empowering and aspirational and challenge us to be better? (Amanat)

We tend to believe what we see around us as true

Subtopic

Bring up Saeed tedtalk about lgbtq and Muslim identity and how they make him special

"It numbs us to the consequences of what we do and allows us to take advantage of nature, to harm it even, free of guilt, because we declare other beings to be less than ourselves, just things.” (Kimmerer)

we use words to put people and nature down and take aways words that would make them seem unique and like they deserve a important place in the world

words are used as weapons to objects as a way to make them see like less