A learning moment

Gratitude for one reader showing me I can do better.
​Zach Hively

A Follow-up to "Getting away with murder"

Hi all—I try hard not to bombard you, but this follow-up on today’s piece is worth it. Because now, as much as ever, it’s important that we all learn to do better, even when we have the best intentions.
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Today’s post, “Getting Away with Murder,” offered an important learning moment for me:
One reader wrote me privately to express disappointment in my reference to “the R-word” in this piece. I'd like to honor her privacy while thanking her. Suffice it to say that she is the proud parent of a child who, she pointed out to me, would be in that class on the other side of that hole in the wall.

The section in question begins:
I remember only one rule, strictly enforced: never use the R-word.

My impact with that section may not have lived up to my intent with it. Its purpose (for what it’s worth) was to show how my teacher, Ms. Galvin, taught us all to think about how our language affects other people. At the time, the R-word was in heavy use, and we students didn’t usually think about its origins or its hurtfulness.

I’ve revised that section to, I hope, convey more of what Ms. Galvin impressed upon us. I hope this also stops that part of this piece from inadvertently harming anyone.

We all need to learn to do better about making amends when we mess up. I'm open to continuing to improve this piece, and my writing, and my thinking in general, when it means treating others with more genuine respect. Especially those who have to work far harder to earn it.
Gratefully,
Zach