What ever happened to........?

Question

Sticks and stones may break my bones.
But names will never hurt me? Are we becoming too sensitive in America? Should every person who insults someone be fired? Wouldn't we all be unemployed if that happened? Someone talk to me!

Uhh...SidTheKid...see, I've never sue anyone for calling me a cracker. People don't usually refer to me with that particular ignorant word. (Pssst, I'm Black.)

Answer 1

To answer that question would present yet another age old question...."When will we be judged by the content of our character and not by the color of our skin???"

Today's society is not looking for answers to questions like yours, simply because this requires some deep soul searching and some open minds. There would be no one answer to solve all of America's problems and the quick fix, which is what our society seems to be into just wont suffice much.

It would be nice if the sticks and stones statement held truth, but truth be told, while I am certain it applies in some instances, I cannot say that it would hold true in others. This does not mean I support the Don Imus situation as I too feel it was totally mishandled and as a result blown way out of proportion.

Let's face it, sometimes words can hurt more than punches themselves. Don't take my word for it alone, ask the many victims of emotional abuse, which transcends between color, gender and age groups.

Let ye without sin cast the first stone should be more like it, because in a multi ethnic society full of men, women and children, perhaps the only ones who can cast a stone are those too young to know what a stone is and too weak to cast it.

Answer 2

It was about money, I think. With how the advertisers were pulling out of the broadcast, and how negatively the situation was played out in the press, MSNBC and CBS figured they would be financially better off if they were known as the channel/station that fired the racist rather than the channel/station that supported free speech and let the racist keep his show.

Personally, I think freedom of speech is to be upheld, but since Imus was practicing it in a public forum, and making money off of it, the people that hire him have every right to fire him if they feel it upholds their image. Simply, MSNBC and CBS did not want to be known as the stations that deliver a racist and offensive show to the people. They have an image to uphold. If Pepsi started airing racist commericals, their sales would decrease. Not only because non-racists would not want to drink it, but because no one would want to be seen drinking a product that uses racist advertisements. Now, imagine MSNBC and CBS as "Pepsi". They want none of Imus.

Don Imus did not lose his rights or his freedom of speech. He lost his job because he violated the rules that his employers set for him. He is still free to say whatever he wants to the media and he is free to apply for another job.

Answer 3

You'd be on the set of coronation street! In theory I guess if nothing ever happend,there would have been no Big Bang which would mean that conditions for existence would not have been created!! In physics isn't there a law that states EVERY ACTION HAS AN EQUAL AND OPPOSITTE REACTION?? Therefore if there was no initial action,evoloution would not exist.... Cool! Existential questions:)

Answer 4

I think over time each situation developed it's own guidelines and there are no specifics now, and theres no way to tell how you can get your point across in a way that's not considered offensive or discriminative,

I wish things would change somehow in a way that's good for everyone. But great question

And Semper Fi back at cha, from my sons.

Answer 5

I think the situation with Mr. Imus should have gone a different way. He should have just said it and forget it. Case closed. But no. He had to drag it out,go before the T.V. cameras,and repeat his apology over and over.

Answer 6

Sticks and stones
will break my bones
aimed with angry art
words can sting like anythhing
but silence breaks the heart

Answer 7

Too much political correctness. Too many thin skinned people. This is a sad situation. Words are words. People need to get over themselves.

Answer 8

Thats how i think. I could care less about what people say about me, and being in middle school its hard. But ive noticed when someone is talking about you and you ignore it they stop because they feel stupid and mad that it didnt bother me.

Answer 9

Our culture is too sensitive nowadays. We need to realize people will disagree with us and that we cannot be protected from the world forever. Whatever happened to "To err is human, to forgive divine!"?

Answer 10

It didn't work on the playground and it doesn't work now.
Name-calling has always hurt.