A New Kind of PC

I have always thought of myself openminded, above the trivial mindless drama that affects so many people. It's not just good enough to have our special issues to carry through our lives, to stress and overstress over. We have to have daytime drama, nighttime drama, reality TV. When we can't take out our anger on our neighbors because they have bigger houses or better cars or more intelligent children, we can substitute their faces and families for the ones we see on Jerry Springer and Maury Povich.

Political correctness tells me that I can't let you know that I'm better than you, my children are smarter and better looking. Political correctness tells me that I can say your child deserves an award for just showing up for an event. Political correctness has made everyone a liar. We smile and carry on as though we care, but in our hearts we feel differently. I have been told that I am far from PC. Can you believe that? Moi? When did speaking one's mind become a liability? I remember that the Constitution affords me the right to freedom of speech. I hurt no one physically, though feelings make be bruised.

The new political correctness gives the Palins a right to judge others, then cry foul when that judgement is reciprocated. It gives Nancy Grace the right to drag a defendant through mud and broken glass. Political correctness allows Pat Robertson the right to urge anti-choice Americans to stop pro-Choice physicians, to asassinate leaders from other countries, to encourage Israel to continue its unholy, illegal occupation of Palestine.

I prefer the "good ole days" when people spoke their minds freely. In the pre-PC world, I knew exactly where I stood. I have often stated that I miss the days before the ERA and other Civil Rights action. I'd rather have someone look me in the face and tell me they don't hire Blacks, than g0 through the hiring process and sent a letter that my skills didn't meet their needs. Before segregation reform, Black people had their own businesses. Anything that you needed was handled by Black people. After segregation, Black people began to patronize white owned businesses to the point that it hurt the Black economy and the Black infrastructure. For more than 4years, we have attempted to assimilate into white culture at the expense of our own heritage. Our assimilation allegedly was fulfilled when President Obama was elected.

We shouldn't allow Political correctness stand in the way of honesty. The first thing that needs to happen is that we need to be true to ourselves. Telling someone that it isn't right to make certain decisions or statements only leads that person to hold his opening close to his heart. It doesn't stop the actions or thoughts. The only way to reach those people is to allow open dialogue, to discover the rationale behind their thoughts. When we can do this we can move forward with or without political correctness.