A Brief Deviation on Language and Sensitivity

People have become increasingly “creative” in policing words that are deemed sensitive, often without considering context, intent, or history. I recall the days of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, when even the phrase “It’s Morphin Time” was questioned by authorities, as though it subtly promoted the use of “morphine.” In reality, the term originates from metamorphosis. By that logic, “It’s Metamorphosis Time” would be more accurate but clearly impractical. Similarly, the mere presence of a triangle in a logo is sometimes hastily labelled “illuminati,” without any attempt to understand historical or design context. More recently, I was asked to replace the word “karma” with “destiny”, on the grounds that the former might affect one’s faith. I have not even touched on phrases such as “the Mecca of …”, which in American English simply means “the centre or hub of something,” yet would likely invite criticism solely because Mecca refers to the holy city of Makkah. On another occasion, I was mocked and labelled “secular” by a senior alumnus for remarking purely as a compliment that Kota Bharu today resembles Madinah in its visible Islamic character and atmosphere. That comment was misconstrued as mockery, as though I were trivialising the city’s identity. This was particularly puzzling, given that Kota Bharu is a city in the state where I was born. I later asked him to clarify what he meant by “secular,” a term often casually applied based on assumptions, even appearance. Such labels, when loosely thrown, risk implying judgement over matters no one else is qualified to assess. The same pattern appears in everyday greetings such as “Happy New Year,” “Merry Christmas,” or “Happy Deepavali” there will always be objections from someone. Even common expressions like “what the hell”, or other colloquial language even four-letter words that have become part of everyday language are increasingly scrutinised beyond their intended meaning. So what can we do about it? Perhaps the most realistic response is not confrontation, but maturity, to acknowledge sensitivities where necessary, remain conscious of context, and move on without losing our ability to communicate thoughtfully, respectfully, and honestly.