“Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me.” We used to say this often. We need to say it more. Greg Lukianoff explains why it is not an excuse for tolerating bullies:

I have zero patience for this tired old argument. It assumes that the people who taught their kids “sticks and stones” believed words never hurt. That’s asinine and assumes everyone before now were stupid and evil.

It’s a mantra meant to help insults hurt LESS.

AND it provides a bright line between speech and violence that helps prevent ACTUAL violence.

But we’d rather perform compassion than teach kids how to suffer less. The goal isn’t resilience anymore—it’s self-centered righteousness theater. That’s why childhood anxiety and depression are skyrocketing while self-righteousness on campus consumes everything.