Pretty logical response to a lot of it. Fun read. Though it is clear he's never suffered from any discrimination and he can't separate the PC crap from real issues.
I too have thought about some of his comments, and how tiring the PC stuff is, how it separates us all even further. Our culture is like a pendulum, swinging dramatically back and forth. It would be nice if everyone wouldn't be so uber-sensitive, wouldn't it (?), and could just settle into the middle and be tolerant and respectful and kind to each other.
I guarantee, in a compassionate and respectful world, it will never be okay for him to call gay people "queer" just because some gay people use the term. His comments imply that it is hypocritical. His logic is born of not not understanding the context. And I don't fault him his ignorance. Just his snarkiness. But the PC stuff is thoughtfully addressed though.
However, shepard, just a couple things I need to correct you on.
A) I'm a she. :) B) Actually, I have dealt with discrimination, more than once. I just don't spend my life pissing and moaning about it. C) I don't call people queer. I call them homosexual. My point was that people who are gay use a far more derogatory term for themselves, and then gripe about being called homosexual. THAT is hypocritical.
Well frankly Judy, I was rather offended by the first examples given...particularly "were you one of the Jews that was gassed?..." Well, no, but all my mother's relatives but one were gassed and turned into soap and lampshades! I was alive and lived through that horrific terrible time of the Holacaust and watched my mother cry in pain with these losses.... "Get over it!"??? No. I don't think one ever gets over that no matter what Trina may think or say...
I understand that many things are taken to extremes...BUT....and this is a Big But.....many are not. She has a right to her opinion, but I don't happen to agree with some of it. NOTHING is All Black Or White. Shades of gray, my dear...Each case is unique. To generalize about racism..to say unless you were brought over on a slave ship--get over it...! This trivializes the truly serious and terrible consequences, still felt by people who's grandparents were slaves. And when you trivialize these things it is deeply insulting and hurtful, and that is MY opinion.
I wish the powers that be in the NCAA who made William and Mary take the feather... yes, I said "feather" off of their logo because it offended the "native americans" would read this. They are the Tribe.... they have no hatchets, no war bonnets, no scantily clad warriors, no Braves, no Redskins, and no Seminoles on the logo. Just one (or is it 2) feather. It could be from a blue jay or a mockingbird or even an ostrich... it is JUST A FEATHER!!! But now it's gone. Next they will have to get rid of the name "The Tribe".
I wonder if the new mascot (a large brown bear with a green cape and crown and I have no idea who dreamed that one up) will OFFEND the "Queen" when she visits at graduation. Yes, Queen Elizabeth is supposed to be at commencement this spring, along with Prince Phillip. They better keep her away from Yorktown though.
I can completely understand where you are coming from, because YOU lived through it. I have the utmost sympathy for those who dealt with those kinds of atrocities personally. My gripe is with people who are four or five generations apart from the actual atrocities, but still use it as an excuse to expect preferential treatment or to hate others of a certain race (i.e. Indians today yelling that "white people stole our land!", which happens quite often where I live).
I do think we need to lighten up, but also be sensitive. It was well written with lots of good points that most are not willing to say. Although, oppression does go on for a long time in the gene pool shaping us. We should use it for awareness and not for blaming.
11 comments:
i think that was a great post. i get so tired of all the PC-ness going on. sometimes it's hard to keep up with what's allowed and what's not.
Wonderful! ALL of it. But probably best was the quote in the comments about "There are no unintended insults." Priceless!
John
When most of us intend to insult or offend someone else, that someone else will know it. Too many are just waiting for a chance to scream "offended".
Pretty logical response to a lot of it. Fun read. Though it is clear he's never suffered from any discrimination and he can't separate the PC crap from real issues.
I too have thought about some of his comments, and how tiring the PC stuff is, how it separates us all even further. Our culture is like a pendulum, swinging dramatically back and forth. It would be nice if everyone wouldn't be so uber-sensitive, wouldn't it (?), and could just settle into the middle and be tolerant and respectful and kind to each other.
I guarantee, in a compassionate and respectful world, it will never be okay for him to call gay people "queer" just because some gay people use the term. His comments imply that it is hypocritical. His logic is born of not not understanding the context. And I don't fault him his ignorance. Just his snarkiness. But the PC stuff is thoughtfully addressed though.
~S
Wow, kenju, I'm honored! *blush*
However, shepard, just a couple things I need to correct you on.
A) I'm a she. :)
B) Actually, I have dealt with discrimination, more than once. I just don't spend my life pissing and moaning about it.
C) I don't call people queer. I call them homosexual. My point was that people who are gay use a far more derogatory term for themselves, and then gripe about being called homosexual. THAT is hypocritical.
Glad you found it interesting in any light. :)
that was great! i'll have to read it to my hubby- sounds like the diatribes he goes off on regularly! :)
Well frankly Judy, I was rather offended by the first examples given...particularly "were you one of the Jews that was gassed?..."
Well, no, but all my mother's relatives but one were gassed and turned into soap and lampshades! I was alive and lived through that horrific terrible time of the Holacaust and watched my mother cry in pain with these losses....
"Get over it!"??? No. I don't think one ever gets over that no matter what Trina may think or say...
I understand that many things are taken to extremes...BUT....and this is a Big But.....many are not.
She has a right to her opinion, but I don't happen to agree with some of it. NOTHING is All Black Or White. Shades of gray, my dear...Each case is unique. To generalize about racism..to say unless you were brought over on a slave ship--get over it...! This trivializes the truly serious and terrible consequences, still felt by people who's grandparents were slaves. And when you trivialize these things it is deeply insulting and hurtful, and that is MY opinion.
I wish the powers that be in the NCAA who made William and Mary take the feather... yes, I said "feather" off of their logo because it offended the "native americans" would read this. They are the Tribe.... they have no hatchets, no war bonnets, no scantily clad warriors, no Braves, no Redskins, and no Seminoles on the logo. Just one (or is it 2) feather. It could be from a blue jay or a mockingbird or even an ostrich... it is JUST A FEATHER!!! But now it's gone. Next they will have to get rid of the name "The Tribe".
I wonder if the new mascot (a large brown bear with a green cape and crown and I have no idea who dreamed that one up) will OFFEND the "Queen" when she visits at graduation. Yes, Queen Elizabeth is supposed to be at commencement this spring, along with Prince Phillip. They better keep her away from Yorktown though.
oldoldlady,
I can completely understand where you are coming from, because YOU lived through it. I have the utmost sympathy for those who dealt with those kinds of atrocities personally. My gripe is with people who are four or five generations apart from the actual atrocities, but still use it as an excuse to expect preferential treatment or to hate others of a certain race (i.e. Indians today yelling that "white people stole our land!", which happens quite often where I live).
I do think we need to lighten up, but also be sensitive. It was well written with lots of good points that most are not willing to say. Although, oppression does go on for a long time in the gene pool shaping us. We should use it for awareness and not for blaming.
I LOVED her post. I think political correctness has gone amuck in this country.
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