Last month, I wrote about people intentionally looking for
ways to be offended. To illustrate my point, several news reports
jumped out at me recently. One involved
the removal of a Dr. Seuss mural because some element of his stories might be
considered racist. Apparently one of his
stories has an illustration of a Chinese character with slanted eyes and
wearing a coolie hat. Another report involved a racial stir on the
Michigan State campus when someone found a lost shoestring that appeared to be
in the shape of a noose. In Detroit, a
firefighter was fired for bringing a “racially insensitive” watermelon to a
predominantly black firehouse.
Why are people suddenly so sensitive? Our society has adopted a victim mentality. Perhaps it starts with the first exposure to
political correctness where no child is allowed to have hurt feelings. Everyone gets a participation trophy. In the real world, finishing second, third,
even last once in awhile is okay. True
success has its rewards. Occasional disappointment is healthy. We lose appreciation for what we have without
sometimes experiencing loss.
Today, people look for ways to feel oppressed. The offender is often sent to sensitivity
training. Instead, many of those feeling
oppressed need to be desensitized. We
should not let others control our feelings. Even if someone intentionally casts
disparagement your way, so what? It
doesn’t change who you are. Responding
only gives credence to their negativity.
Whether you are an ethnic minority or the President of the United
States (or both), someone will disrespect you. Don’t
feel the need to acknowledge them with a response every time. Is intentionally displaying racial
intolerance ever acceptable? No, but do accept
the fact that some people will always be reprehensible. Rise above them. Loud protests appear to them as justification
for their bigotry. I believe true bigots
are a few and far between, but you would never know it by the notoriety they
get.
We all fall into certain stereotypes. Regardless of our ethnicity, religion,
political affiliation, occupation, gender, age, size, birthplace, or social
status, we will all occasionally find ourselves the object of a disparaging
remark. Some people are just
contrary. No matter what position one
takes, others will find fault with it.
Not every person who makes a racist remark is actually a racist. Some are simply idiots who seek attention by
saying something outrageous. I suspect
most idiots who go around painting swastikas never passed a world history exam
in their lives, and have no real concept of the hatred it symbolizes. They only want attention by spewing their
venom. Eliciting a terse reaction is
exactly what they want. Treat them as
any other criminal without giving voice to their sick agenda.
Think about why these discriminatory stereotypes exist in
the first place. When it comes to racial
profiling, skin pigment has little to do with it. Diminished respect for human life has
permeated our society. Do not underestimate
the toll abortion has taken on the importance of the family unit. Young African American males often grow up
without a good paternal role model in the home.
Without it, they seek belonging elsewhere, often on the streets where
violence is rampant.
When police officers overreact in these neighborhoods, it is
prompted by fear, not hatred. Their fear
is real and justifiable. They have
families and want to go home to them when shift is over. They do not owe anyone a fair fight. Unfortunately, innocent people sometimes get
hurt. Until we regain respect for human
life, for family, for one another, and for God, our polarized society will
continue to deteriorate.
