You hear it all the time—words hurt. But does anybody actually do anything about it? We have freedom of speech, we argue, so that gives us the right to say anything we want. We judge others, we belittle others, and we label them and stereotype them…but when it happens to us, that’s when it has to stop. There is one youth community that is actually taking a stand to end the spiteful words that we may come across. York University is urging students to “watch how they use their words”.

As part of the school's first "Inclusion Day", there were posters that show an open mouth launching weapons with warnings to respect others that you may disagree with:
 
"Words have a way of hitting innocent bystanders."

"A war of words is still a war."

"It's not just what you say, but how you say it."

"Nothing kills ideas like an explosive argument."

This "Safe Speech" campaign was organized to discourage the confrontations that have occurred erupted on the campus in recent years, often over the Middle East. Authorities are not trying to stop protests and other such rallies. They are simply trying to limit the “emotional clashes” that have occurred over the past few years.

Hopefully, the initiative that York University is taking will actually affect the environment positively. To see change, we must change. Though, that is easier said than done. With more and more controversial issues around us, and with the highly opinionated younger generations, what else can we expect other than differences in perspectives? Although some may not be so opinionated and others may just be indifferent, taking a stand right now can prevent the “heated confrontations” that take place at the campus.

Noel Badiou, director of the university's Centre for Human Rights, says, “We’re supposed to help students learn and be the leaders of tomorrow, and I'm not sure those are always those who can shout the loudest."