That's Just Stupid!

When was the last time you used that phrase? Not within the privacy of your humble abode.  I mean out in the open - at work; at the supermarket - in public.  Now, when was the last time you really wanted to use that phrase?  Last week?  Yesterday?  Five minutes ago?

And, while you think about that, think about this.   I'm in no way talking about name-calling. The "that" would be in reference to an act committed; a behaviour; a conclusion illogically drawn and the like. So, the thing - not the person.  Now, back to the second question.  When was the last time you really wanted to use that phrase?  Whatever your answer, my follow-up question would be: "Well, why didn't you?"  And, I'm guessing, your response would be stteo: "Are you crazy?  That'd be so politically incorrect!" 

You'd have been right, of course.  After all, in today's society, we don't say things like that. Out loud.  We either use our inside voice or none at all.  Then, we go home and vent on our spouses or siblings or BFFs!  In other words, we don't always say exactly what we want to say, as we try to be politically correct.

We don't want to offend or be seen as offensive.  We want to speak and, in our speech, be mindful of and sensitive to the needs of everyone and their race, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender and so on.  But, as sure as I am that this horse has been beaten several times, the last you read of it was, actually, not the last you read of it.  For, as we indulge in, or are consumed by, new societal trends (especially those of the technological kind), we inadvertently form new etiquette to govern the new (kinds of) interactions.  For example, no one has to tell anyone these days that the use of upper case means YOU'RE SHOUTING! (Especially when followed by an exclamation sign.)  Unless, of course, you do mean to shout.  But, what stood out for me, as I gave some (more) thought to the idea of anonymity in online interactions, was the probability that some people might just be using that as an outlet.

As I tweeted to my sis @MizDurie, the other day, I think the degree to which some people exercise political correctness is proportional to the level of frankness or harshness as (anonymous ) posters.  Imagine being cooped up in a "prison of political correctness" all day.  At the end of the day, you simply get behind the wall of anonymity and there, in your familiar place of freedom, you can happily call a spade a spade.  You can bask in the ability to describe its colour and its shape; the thickness of its handle and the sharpness of its blade.  But, this doesn't mean that you need to be harsh and caustic and vitriolic and mean, though.  I mean, I do see where it would be quite a relief for you to get your point across, vent what's on your mind, without risking career suicide or having to backtrack on something you said.  Ever heard the term, "I misspoke"?  That's one of my favs to be chuckled at.  Or another, "I misquoted...myself."

George Carlin had a line in one of his comedy routines as he spoke about politicians trying to back track on offensive speech or downplay indiscretions.  It was a kind of template go to line:  "I"m just trying to put this thing behind me and get on with my life!"  Carlin remarked that he "would just like to put this "I would just like to put this thing behind me and get on with my life" thing behind me and get on with my life!"

I'm thinking it'd be quite a while before we venture on that road; before we go out to our media interviews and...speak frankly.  Just the thought alone is refreshing!  We'd certainly know exactly where each speaker stood on a particular matter.  Couldn't we re-learn how to favour honesty and frankness over hypocrisy and PC-driven drivel?

Because the truth, as always, does come out anyway.


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro

Two things on my heart and mind this week

Ever had a week like this one?

Hmm?

I'm pretty sure that several million wonderful things happened this week; several million thought-provoking things did too.  Gladly, they didn't all come my way.  Of those that did, however, I'd like to remark a bit on the two that made quite an impact.

FIRST, ON MY MIND:

The decision by NewSouth Books in Alabama to publish a new edition of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn.  This time around, the n-word (insert air quotes at will) is to be replaced by the word "slave".  As I see it, such a replacement betrays the lack of understanding of the use of the word in the first place. I'd like to believe that the Twain chose his words very carefully; each was used on purpose.  Can we really say that the n-word was used to indicate, for need of a better term, Jim's "job description" or where Jim stood on the food chain - as property?  Wasn't its use more about hammering home the mentality of the white folks in their total disregard of Jim; their acceptance of his non-status?  "Slave Jim" doesn't quite carry the same ring.

The comments across cyberspace have been many and varied:  Political correctness has reached a new low; the use of the n-word is a strong argument for the anti-racist nature of the work; there are those who believe that Twain's work needs correcting...

My main questions: Will erasing it make it all go away? And, having begun this, where does it end?


NOW, ON MY HEART:

Ted Williams and his golden voice.  My sis sent me that clip from Yahoo on Thursday, January 6.  When Ted (yes, it's Ted now) started speaking, I raised my eyebrow and tilted my head - shocked and trying to figure out how he swallowed that radio!  Literally, overnight, the man went from homelessness into the homes of millions.  He has been flown hither and yon for interviews and talk shows; offered numerous jobs; offered a mortgage.  According to Ted, it's been "outrageous", "phenomenal".  He landed a voice-over gig with Kraft.  It's been nothing short of spectacular, really.   I just pray that God surrounds him with people who has his best interest at heart.  He has acknowledged God working in his life.  He actually echoed something my sis was pointing out just the other day as we spoke about a related topic pre-Ted: "If you're going to give [to the homeless]...give from the heart."  May he make the best of this life-changing opportunity.

Ted Williams' story is a heartwarming story.  His is a miraculous story.   There's one thought that is predominant as I read or listen or view more and more of it:

This is how God rolls.  There is nothing too hard for Him.


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro