It's like walking on eggshells, one false step and . . . Wham! someone is offended. Be careful. Weigh each word before you say it least a member of some minority take offense.
There is no lack of minorities in the US, many smarting under a perceived societal abuse. In fact, you, valued reader, are a member of at least one minority. That's not surprising since this nation is an accretion of innumerable, distinctive groups.
However, we can shorten that lengthy list by saying that it's everyone except white, male adults (18 +). But that's a problem, too, because even this maligned group is, itself, a minority comprising only 28 percent of the population.
Putting that aside for a moment, a good site to check for extra help in minority sensitivity is Wikipedia/slurs. Slurs are broken down into three categories: Ethnic, Cultural, and Religious.
Under Ethnic there are nine subheads, African is listed first. Under African one will find 42 disparaging words and phrases. Many of them will probably be unfamiliar. All the more reason to educate ourselves; they may be foreign to us but not to others.
And there are eight more Ethnic minorities that will require an adjustment to our stock of words. That adds up to hundreds of words. If the Cultural and Religious categories are included, the list of tabooed words climbs into the thousands. Words that must be purged from our vocabulary least someone is insulted, demeaned, or outraged.
There is yet another group added to the hyper-sensitives; those who go into anaphylactic shock at the sight of memorial statues or monuments to the Confederacy. These commemorative tributes to fallen southern soldiers must be moved out of sight or demolished.
And in deference to the sensibilities of those suffering with flagaphobia, wherever the Stars and Bars is hoisted up it must be hauled down.
Amazon, Sears, eBay, Etsy, and Target have banned the sale of the Confederate battle flag. When Walmart's CEO was asked why his stores will no longer carry the southern banner he replied, “We don't want to offend anyone.”
Nevertheless, he and the other CEOs did just that.
One could hear the voice of a bygone army, fallen sons of the South, clad in tattered gray, rising from their earthen beds, Rally 'round the flag, boys. Don't let her touch the ground.
Shall this revered symbol, this sacred standard held high, this banner blooded in battles that raged throughout Old Dixie be thrown to the mob?
The simplest solution to the controversies swirling around southern monuments, flying the Confederate flag and to this entire PC self-censoring paranoia is this: If you don't like a monument, don't visit it; if a flag disturbers you, don't look at it; and if a word offends you, don't say it, but never presume to tell others what not to say.
Least this be misunderstood, we'll return to the issue of the white-male-adult minority.
We're referred to as honkies, crackers, whitey, rednecks, frosties, ghosts, WASPS, and a few unprintables. What should we say to these insufferable epithets?
Well, the best reply is a dismissive silence. It is the right of bigots to express themselves, however crudely.
That's what freedom of speech is about. The acceptable does not try its limits; it is the acceptance of the unacceptable that guarantees this freedom.
When I was a boy there was a rhyme that made good sense then and rings somewhat true today: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Reading it now I see it is only half true. Sometimes words hurt deeply. Long after a broken bone has healed, hurtful words may echo in one's mind.
But nothing is gained by replying in kind; it only validates those cruel words directed to you. The best reply is no reply. Who knows, you may have disarmed an enemy and made a friend.
But that makes too much sense. Today's answer is a groveling apology. A remorseful recant for the most far-flung insult. This legitimizes the grievance and guarantees more of the same. Which is what we will get---and in spades.
I can hear the eggshells crackling.
Sincerely,
Bob Scroggins
New Milford, PA