Boys will be boys or It is just part of the game or It is just politics or…
Throughout the most recent presidential election race in the United States it seems as if there was a lot of behavior which would not normally be tolerated, but which was chalked up to being just the way that politics is done. Some of this same seemingly sophomoric at best, frightening at worst behavior continues. I do of course know that politicians and many other humans have been hurling unkind, even mean insults at each other for a very long time. It does, however, seem that for a time, it became politically incorrect to hurl racist, homophobic, sexist or other insults at each other. Then during the election, political correctness itself was called into question and the new politically correct became the former politically incorrect.
I never did quite wrap my head around the acceptance by many of this behavior. It seems to me to go against the progress which had been so painstakingly achieved. Yet, it seemed as if my concern was labeled by many I know as being overly sensitive or picky. Surely it was said to me that there are much more important issues on which to focus. “Boys will be boys or politicians will be politicians. Do not take it so seriously.” Yet, everything in me rebelled against such acceptance of using race, sexual identity, age, religion or other factors to reinforce an us and them society.
This week there was a boxing match which was very popular for many that I knew who were willing to shell out big bucks to watch on pay per view (someone told me up to $100.00). Although I am not a fan of boxing, I am willing to accept that there is or can be a lot of skill to engaging in this sport. Certainly, I can appreciate that level of skill no matter what the activity. I no longer feel a need to understand why two men (or women) hitting each other until one is knocked out (technically or otherwise) is such a popular sport. I was, however, confused when I heard that the two men (Merriweather and McGregor) were throwing verbal racist and homophobic punches at each other. None of those to whom I talked seem to feel a need to refuse to support the fight or the promoters of the fight until and unless the racist and homophobic behavior stops.
Once again I am moved to ask if it is every okay to engage in verbal racist, homophobic, sexist, ageist behavior or any verbal behavior discounting another because of race, sexuality, age, gender or religion? If the answer is yes, why it is okay? Do we really want to feed the flames of what we witnessed in Charleston recently? Is another Hitler acceptable? Do we want to return to using homosexuals (faggots – sticks) as fuel for the fire? Do we want lynching to become an event to which we can take our picnic lunches and from which we can send postcards (or texts)?
I do think we need to laugh at ourselves and with each other. I think it is fine for a member of a sub group to use humor or even sarcasm to call each other to be their best selves. I am not convinced that it is ever funny or acceptable to discount the sacredness of someone for any quality which is an essential part of who they are.
Perhaps I am missing something and just being too serious. Perhaps I am just being politically correct while Rome is burning. Perhaps a return to using faggots as fuel for the fire, lynchings, and insuring that the “little woman stays in the home where she belongs” is acceptable.
Then again, perhaps….
Written august 28, 2017
Throughout the most recent presidential election race in the United States it seems as if there was a lot of behavior which would not normally be tolerated, but which was chalked up to being just the way that politics is done. Some of this same seemingly sophomoric at best, frightening at worst behavior continues. I do of course know that politicians and many other humans have been hurling unkind, even mean insults at each other for a very long time. It does, however, seem that for a time, it became politically incorrect to hurl racist, homophobic, sexist or other insults at each other. Then during the election, political correctness itself was called into question and the new politically correct became the former politically incorrect.
I never did quite wrap my head around the acceptance by many of this behavior. It seems to me to go against the progress which had been so painstakingly achieved. Yet, it seemed as if my concern was labeled by many I know as being overly sensitive or picky. Surely it was said to me that there are much more important issues on which to focus. “Boys will be boys or politicians will be politicians. Do not take it so seriously.” Yet, everything in me rebelled against such acceptance of using race, sexual identity, age, religion or other factors to reinforce an us and them society.
This week there was a boxing match which was very popular for many that I knew who were willing to shell out big bucks to watch on pay per view (someone told me up to $100.00). Although I am not a fan of boxing, I am willing to accept that there is or can be a lot of skill to engaging in this sport. Certainly, I can appreciate that level of skill no matter what the activity. I no longer feel a need to understand why two men (or women) hitting each other until one is knocked out (technically or otherwise) is such a popular sport. I was, however, confused when I heard that the two men (Merriweather and McGregor) were throwing verbal racist and homophobic punches at each other. None of those to whom I talked seem to feel a need to refuse to support the fight or the promoters of the fight until and unless the racist and homophobic behavior stops.
Once again I am moved to ask if it is every okay to engage in verbal racist, homophobic, sexist, ageist behavior or any verbal behavior discounting another because of race, sexuality, age, gender or religion? If the answer is yes, why it is okay? Do we really want to feed the flames of what we witnessed in Charleston recently? Is another Hitler acceptable? Do we want to return to using homosexuals (faggots – sticks) as fuel for the fire? Do we want lynching to become an event to which we can take our picnic lunches and from which we can send postcards (or texts)?
I do think we need to laugh at ourselves and with each other. I think it is fine for a member of a sub group to use humor or even sarcasm to call each other to be their best selves. I am not convinced that it is ever funny or acceptable to discount the sacredness of someone for any quality which is an essential part of who they are.
Perhaps I am missing something and just being too serious. Perhaps I am just being politically correct while Rome is burning. Perhaps a return to using faggots as fuel for the fire, lynchings, and insuring that the “little woman stays in the home where she belongs” is acceptable.
Then again, perhaps….
Written august 28, 2017
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