Anything that is said negatively about something, a body characteristic of which we have no control hurts us. Such characteristics such as color, height, weight, physical deformity, even gender are particularly hurtful. Speech is particularly hurtful when derided or mimicked. We’ve all experienced people just disregarding us or that look of horror and pity in their eyes when we block or stutter. Of course we feel demeaned or insulted. We are being judged by a characteristic of which we have no control.