In today’s arts and entertainment there is often an element that is powerful yet regrettably unneeded and distracting, to say the least. I'm a father of three and I'm talking about swearing.

It’s the same element that I used to incorporate into my own work as a cartoonist for over ten years. But during the past six years, I actually went back and removed this powerful element: all the swearing (you should see my white-out bill). It’s a matter of conscience for me and too much exposure to that language has a negative impact on me. It’s like a recovering alcoholic going back to his old watering hole.

 

A reviewer who recently reviewed my latest Silly Daddy graphic novel (published June 2004) actually noticed how I went back in and took out all the swearing. He didn't commend me for it. Rather he complained about it, and that was a large focus of his review. I told my friend Andy about this reviewer's attitude, and how it saddened me. Andy said; "Actually, it sounds like a good review, because Jesus says 'Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me' " (Matthew 5:11).

Some may say about swearing, “"What’s the difference?”" Well, I personally want to be a better man. In no way am I trying to say that by simply not swearing, I am in fact a better man. However, this is part of a bigger picture, as in “How can I personally change my behavior to give the people that I influence hope, love, and a positive standard. I realize that this sounds “old fashioned“ but as a man I’m just trying to do the right thing. I need to strive to be a better role model, and a leader in my community. Why? Because I am a father and a husband, and I have to lead by example on what I understand at a heart level to be morally inappropriate. And on a spiritual level, if you are open to this truth, one day you will, as the good book shows, have to give an account for the life you have led to your maker (Jesus).

The question I also have to ask myself is, regardless of how otherwise well crafted a creative work is, “Do I really want the language in this work to influence the way my impressionable sixteen and six and one year old children speak and behave if I leave this stuff lying around, or if they inherit it?”

I am aware of the common “creative” and “anti-censorship” defenses such as “"Yeah but the swearing makes my art more real, and I’m not necessarily condoning swearing, but that’s how people talk, and I'’m a realist."” I too believed the very same thing once. Sadly though, this attitude is short sighted, and only contributes to the moral decay (godlessness) in the arts, entertainment, and social interaction of our troubled times. As my old algebra teacher said over and over in class, “"Garbage in, garbage out."” Decades later, I realized that she was actually paraphrasing Jesus.

A simple proof that swearing is not needed to make an adult story great is in many old movies of the mid-twentieth century and in the literary classics of past centuries. And trying a defense like: “That was then, this is now, and these are different times,” is no defense at all, especially looking at the record breaking global appeal of the Star Wars series (containing no swearing). Also consider that international and national network news still functions without swearing and that’s completely about the real world today on an adult level.

As someone who’s operated on both sides of the swearing fence, I can with relief and a clear conscience be glad that I have that cursing monkey off my back. As for you, if after all these comments, swearing still is an active player in your vocabulary, I give you this challenge: For seven days make every effort not to swear. Whether or not you’re completely successful in this seven day non-swearing effort doesn’t matter. But you will notice a shift in your very own thought patterns. I kid you not. You will start to wonder what else you can personally do, to be that better person…that person you imagined you’d be the very first time you admired your favorite hero as a child. And maybe, those old dreams will be revived. And heroes will walk this earth again.

Sincerely,

Joe Chiappetta