14 DAY TRIAL // Two years ago, upset by the way his mates at South Pasadena Middle School used cussing and dirty jokes, McKay Hatch set up the No Cussing Club, which came accompanied by a website as well. Now, with more than 30,000 members from all over the world, the example of this 14-year-old boy has inspired County Supervisor Michael Antonovich to instate the Cuss-Free Week in L.A., the L.A. Times is reporting.
While those caught cussing in the middle of rush hours will not be ticketed or reprimanded in any other way, Antonovich explains that the initiative is meant to promote clean language and civility, two things that now seem almost forgotten in our hectic lives. What McKay Hatch did with his Club and website has shown that people around us can be offended by the way we speak, and perhaps cussing and dirty jokes can be put aside, even for only one week, Antonovich believes.
“A lot of kids at my school, and some of my friends, would cuss and use dirty language all the time. They did it so much, they didn’t even realize they were doing it. It bothered me so much that one day I challenged them to stop! They were shocked. They didn’t know that it was bothering me. They didn’t even realize how much they were doing it until I said something. I was actually surprised at how they reacted; they accepted my No Cussing Challenge. But some of the kids said they didn’t know how to stop. That’s when I started the No Cussing Club.” McKay revealed upon launching the Club and the website.
However, the No Cussing Challenge has nothing to do with a childish dare, but more with learning to be civil again and to show just how educated we are, the boy explains on his website. “Clean language is a sign of intelligence and always demands respect. I will use my language to uplift, encourage and motivate. I will Leave People Better Than I Found Them!” he wrote. Antonovich also adds that the Cuss-Free Week will eventually show that positive peer pressure can return the most amazing results.
“We want to remind people about their choice of words. Use different language – be kind; be civil.” Antonovich points out, further explaining that the no-cussing week “is not enforceable.” Nevertheless, all foul-mouths who want to “kick the habit” are welcome to join the Challenge.