Horton Hears a Who Stirs Controversy
Communication Author Offers a Clarification
Dr. Seuss’ did it again this week. Another one of Seuss’ whimsical tales has stirred up political controversy with the release of the new blockbuster movie, Horton Hears a Who. Pro-lifer groups have co-opted Horton’s “A person’s a person no matter how small” as an anti-abortion motto.
Communication author Meryl Runion has a different interpretation.
“I can see why Pro-lifers relate to the phrase,” Runion says, “But I’d hate for the broader point of the phrase to get lost. While a huge part of the message is to value life, the phrase also says that every voice matters. None of us can afford to stay silent when something needs to be said. It’s easy to think it doesn’t matter whether we stand up for what’s right or not. Horton says it does, and I agree.”
Runion is the author of five books that encourages people to “SpeakStrong,” or to “Say what you mean, and mean what you say, without being mean when you say it.”
“Horton’s message is to commit to speak up on important matters regardless of how insignificant we think our own voice is and regardless the personal cost,” Runion said. “That’s why Horton says: “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful, one hundred percent.”
Runion teaches that meaning what you say means to back your words up with action, like Horton did. Saying what you mean means to communicate what you think, feel and want.
It’s not part of Horton’s motto, but Runion adds a third element to Horton’s catch phrase. “I add, ‘Don’t be mean when you say it,’ because sweet speech is strategic speech. Of course, Horton was sweet by nature, so sweetness was a given for him, but for many of us, that’s the hardest part of Speaking Strong.”
People regularly tell Runion that her phrase “Say what you mean, and mean what you say, without being mean when you say it” guides their communication. She is delighted to have Horton help pass the message around.
Watch the Google hosted video of Meryl appearing on a
Fox News morning show on Horton Hears a Who.
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Meryl Runion and Speak Strong (SpeakStrong) provides Power Phrases (PowerPhrases) and other tools to help you improve communication skills at work and at home.
She is the author of the books PowerPhrases!, How to Use PowerPhrases, Perfect Phrases for Managers and Supervisors and How to Say It: Performance Reviews. She can be reached at 719-684-2633 or by email:
