from Writing.com.
Author: joerector
Too Sensitive
America has become a nation of individuals whose psyches are delicate. I don’t know when they change occurred, but that it has happened is undeniable. The proof is in our penchant for politically correct language. Watchdog organizations demand that we be sensitive to the feelings of every group. Any reference that might possibly be offensive is to be erased from our communications.
The NCAA has banned the use of American Indians as mascots for athletic teams. No longer can a team be the Apaches, the Indians, or the Chiefs. According to this policing agent for college sports, the use of such terms offends those clans and tribes. To hear advocates of reform, the use of such mascots demeans the entire Indian nation. When did the American Indian become so temperamental? I have always admired the way that the true caretakers of America have presented themselves as strong-willed, tough folks. Their past has shown them to be a spiritual people who have been above the trivialities of man. Now the portrayal Indians as mascots hurts their feelings. Such is probably the case for only the minority.
I should have seen this fiasco coming. For too long special interest groups have demanded that politically correct language be used. Women’s groups demand that sexist language be pulled from the English vocabulary. In place of those words, gender-neutral ones are to be used. Now, criminals are pursued by police officers, and fire fighters extinguish blazes in our homes. Postal workers deliver the mail, and a chairperson heads a committee. Folks, I have never used the words “policeman,” “fireman,” or “mailman” in a sexist manner. The fact is that I don’t care what sex captures the outlaw or puts out the fire in my kitchen; I simply want the protection that is offered by these brave souls. I want someone, male or female, to deliver my paycheck each month. Whatever gender the person is who leads a committee is irrelevant; few committees ever produce anything other than words or rules. We don’t need to rewrite our vocabularies to please a few complaining individuals.
How did this country ever get to the point where every minority has its own special name? None of us is African, Irish, Hispanic, or members of any other foreign citizenry. When we become citizens of this country, we forego that hyphenated name and replace it with the single identifier “American.” Yes, we retain our sense of heritage, but the past is not what we are about. Hector St. John de Cre`vecoeur’s essay” What Is an American?” forcefully drives this assertion home: “Here individuals from all nations are melted into a new race of men…The American ought therefore to love this country much better than that wherein either he or his forefathers were born.” Yes, keeping alive the culture of our forefathers is commendable, but being a part of this country means accepting the language and culture it offers.
In our area we have seen the end of the rebel flag at high school football games. Racism does exist, and many who tout that vile belief wave that flag. However, most high school students hold allegiance to their schools, not to some ridiculous vendetta against folks of a different skin color. Removing a flag won’t come close to erasing the prejudice and hate from an individual’s heart. We lose sight of the fact that the rebel flag is nothing more than a piece of cloth. Individuals assign the negative connotations to it.
The next step in completing politically correctness deals with professional sports. The Washington Redskins must go, along with the Cleveland Indians, and the Atlanta Braves. Carl Malone is bound for the NBA hall of fame, but he must first change his nickname from “the Mailman” to “the Mailperson.” Anyone who fails to use the proper language will be accused of harboring ill will toward special interest groups. Maybe these groups need to toughen up a bit and stop being so sensitive instead.
Will exceptions be made in the use of a nickname? They have already begun. Florida State is to keep its nickname the Seminoles. Persons of that tribe enjoy working with the university and reaping the rewards that comes with using their name. Before long, our society will mirror the one in the movie “Demolition Man.” The language police will ticket us for the use of any unacceptable term. Forget the right to free speech. The individual’s right to self-expression isn’t as important as the agenda of a group with a chip on its collective shoulder.
2007-02-08 04:52:52
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answer #1
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answered by charlestradmus 1
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Yes, four major problems that could cause the collapse of the US in the not-so-distant future: (1) The massive national debt that more than doubled under George Bush (2) Constant meddling in the affairs of foreign countries and widespread foreign entanglements (3) The mass influx of illegals over the border from Mexico (4) The increasing spread of Spanish in everything which will undermine cohesiveness and communications.
2016-03-28 22:14:53
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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I see a long-winded jousting against "political correctness" which is, in actuality, a transparent attempt to garner support for bullies who like to harrass, exploit, belittle, berate, or otherwise verbally assault any and everyone different from themselves.
Hey, guess what? If an overweight person, or a black person, or an African-American, or a Native American, or a sightless person, or a poor person, or an uneducated person, or a bi-polar person, or a foreign person, or a non-smoker, or any other size/shape/color/religion/or anything else that is DIFFERENT FROM YOU don't like the way you are addressing them or referring to them, THEY GET TO SAY. NOT YOU. THEM.
You call it being annoyed with Political Correctness? Well, maybe it's simply time the Bullies have been called out.
2007-02-08 07:25:35
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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Probably. But then again, the pendulum is always swinging. Like most other things, PC will go too far and we'll return to being able to say and do what is best for us. It's just a question of how much damage we're going to incur before we sit up and take notice with force.
2007-02-08 05:06:16
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answer #4
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answered by kathy059 6
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Yep. Not only the borders, but also the idea that medicare, medicaid, and socialist security cannot be touched. The burden of the debt of these in the future will be enough to sink the country.
2007-02-08 04:47:32
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answer #5
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answered by Jace 4
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Being PC is another form of taking away free speech. I guess most people just don't understand the realm of being so 'correct'...and not hurting anyone's feelings. It means death to free speech.
2007-02-08 05:36:07
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answer #6
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answered by TexasRose 6
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It already is and will continue because we citizens are too damn lazy to do anything about it. Of course, if 100 million of us got together and used our influence, one liberal judge could overrule us. So what's the use.
2007-02-08 05:04:00
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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This will change in the next few years.
If not, we will be committing suicide.
But I think enough of us want to keep the USA going, that it will change.
2007-02-08 04:49:36
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answer #8
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answered by The First Dragon 7
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Not the demise, but it certainly has hurt it and the wound will fester.
2007-02-08 04:47:56
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answer #9
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answered by Walter D 3
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It sure as hell ain't helping none.
2007-02-08 06:25:23
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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