I’ve heard the phrase “you people” for a good part of my life, although I’ve observed it used more often these past 20 years. Generally, the words pop up when someone is angry. Young folks have been known to use such language when talking about the older generation, and vice versa.
My AI helpmate, the lovely, but imaginary, Miss Purdy, tells me the following about what ‘you people’ means:
“You people is a phrase that can be interpreted in many ways, but it often carries negative connotations, especially when used to refer to a specific group of people, like an ethnic or racial group. It can create a sense of distance or division, implying an ‘us vs them’ mentality.
Miss Purdy went on to say this happens quite often on Facebook, with me not even realizing she was on social media. She went on to explain that the phrase, while not inherently offensive, its usage is often viewed as disrespectful, condescending, or even racist, depending on the context and the speaker’s intent.”
Years ago, my wife and I mailed out Christmas cards with a religious message, as we always do. Several weeks later, our card and letter came back from one individual, all marked up in red ink with negative language. The words ‘you people’ were included several times in their scathing remarks.
Our letter simply stated what Joleen and I, along with our children, had been doing. I didn’t brag or boast, basically talking about what the kids were up to in college. We ended it with God Bless and have a Happy New Year, as we’d done for perhaps 30 years.
The recipient made it clear that they didn’t think we practiced what we preached regarding how a Christian should act. Our letter must’ve touched a frayed nerve on this subject. They made sure to end things by saying, “Never send me one of these hypocritical letters again!”
After reading things, with the hair on the back of my neck standing at full attention, recklessly on my part, I fired a scathing reply back via our postal service. It was like tossing gasoline onto an already burning fire. Thinking about things later that night, I wished that I could’ve stuck my hand in the mailbox and retrieved that angst. I believe many people have done the same.
Looking back on the incident with a bit more wisdom, I should’ve waited, digested exactly why this person was upset, and then perhaps called them instead. Eventually, this did take place over the phone, although permanent damage had been done. Our relationship was never the same, with bipolar disorder on their part a big reason why.
The other day on television, I watched an agitated older actor use the term,” You people!” He was directing it at MAGA supporters. Robert DeNiro’s message wasn’t taken as offensive like I might’ve viewed it only a few years ago. I actually chuckled—seeing it as more of a compliment than an insult.
Getting back to that person belittling our family card and letter at Christmas in 2002. Had I been tuned in to the Bible more than I was, I would’ve seen that Jesus has an answer for such in Matthew 5:11. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”
Had that Biblical lesson been known by me, I would’ve refrained from retaliation. My hasty action and need to ‘speak my mind’ were far more damaging to this person than her angry words to me.
Proverbs 12:18. “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
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