By Craig P. Dixon, southcoast247.com correspondent Social Commentary 106
April 13, 2007
When did Americans get so amazingly thin-skinned? What, exactly, was the
dividing line? The moment when the US exchanged its population of rough-neck
grunts for whiny pussies? The high-water mark when we welcomed in the Alices
and kicked out the tough guys who'd suffer an insult with dignity then, most
importantly, return the favor by either a) volleying a choice comeback or b)
kicking an ass or two?
Was it WW2? Or Nam? I bet the Hippies had something
to do with it. All that social-consciousness and peace, love, and happiness
bullshit reeks of pussiness.
I guess it doesn't really matter. The point
is: We're stuck with a society of pussies. Now, the question is: How does
one go about dealing with this whiny society, where the slightest, most
innocuous off-the-cuff comment can draw immediate uproar by diverse groups:
Even those unaffected by the quip?
Remember that old saying: "Nothing's
sacred"? Well, that's a dead term. The truth is EVERYTHING, no matter how
seemingly stupid or inconsequential, is sacred to somebody. So, you'd better
be really damned sure before you open your mouth, even in jest, about an
inconsequential topic, because there's always a piper to pay. Everyone's got
an opinion, and most, stupidly, choose to exercise it.
This is likely
strange to hear, coming from a man who makes part of his living on his
opinion. And, here are few whom I haven't offended over the years. Indeed,
I've played devil's advocate more than once, taking the sides of various
causes celebres just because. It gives me pleasure to get under skin with a
valid, albeit skewed and sometimes morally wrong, argument. No matter what
side I take or what I say, I'm upsetting somebody. And I'm happy in
that.
Which brings us to the unfortunate Don Imus, "nappy-headed ho's",
comment. You may not have heard of Imus, but you've probably heard the
comment. It's all over the news.
Imus' glory days are far behind him. He was the biggest thing in radio
about two decades ago. Then Stern came along and took the title. Funny,
edgy, racially and sexually charged, Imus' show is still popular with
American politicos.
Then, there's the gaffe. I'm absolutely amazed at how
pissed people are at Imus for this off-the-cuff quote. After all, Imus has
made fun of nearly everyone with racist and sexist overtones. He often
comically depicts former President Bill Clinton as a bumbling sex addict,
and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin as a stereotypical inner city black male.
Hell, he once had a skit where Wilfred Brimley fucked a Thanksgiving turkey.
Yet, these and marginally worse others haven't, unlike the "ho's" comment,
birthed calls for his resignation or job termination.
And apologies aren't
good enough here. Imus has been bending over backwards for the black
community, with a constantly bowed, reconciliatory head, since the incident.
But why apologize to Al Sharpton? Does he play for the Rutgers women's
basketball team?
Why is Jesse Jackson involved? I almost forgot. Jesse
needs a cause. Remember the Duke rape case, Jesse? How'd that go? Still
backing the "victim"?
The point is: Imus should apologize to the Rutgers
women's basketball team. Period. Fuck Al Sharpton and Fuck Jesse Jackson. If
they've got nothing better to do than get tremendously pissed over some
stupid, half-baked thing some half-in-the-grave, washed-up DJ said about
some women's basketball team, all whilst overlooking similar comments made
by hip-hop artists, as well as the millions of dollars Imus has donated and
raised for charity through his sometimes edgy radio program, they've got sad
lives, indeed.
Personally, I wouldn't apologize at all. As an American,
you're granted free speech in the Bill of Rights. You can say whatever you'd
like. Sure, you might not always say the right thing. Humans, after all,
make mistakes. And hell, there are consequences for everything you say. But
you have that right, and should make use of it.
Others aren't as fortunate.
But that
right, as with many Constitutional rights amongst Americans, often goes for
granted. Everyone runs on a personal censor. Hardly any speak exactly what's
on their minds, because they're afraid of the penalties. This is the
double-edged sword that is social and political correctness.
I lament the
fact that self-censorship is the socially correct way. It makes for a very
dull world.
When did Americans get so amazingly thin-skinned? What, exactly, was the
dividing line? The moment when the US exchanged its population of rough-neck
grunts for whiny pussies? The high-water mark when we welcomed in the Alices
and kicked out the tough guys who'd suffer an insult with dignity then, most
importantly, return the favor by either a) volleying a choice comeback or b)
kicking an ass or two?
