I have to get this off my chest. The topic has at least twice come up in a short time span, so I usually consider this a call to address. I rarely use this blog as a political platform, and for my efforts, today, I don’t intend this post to be political. (No doubt, it will be taken by some to be such.) I want to address an ever-increasing rift in American sensibilities.
The other day, I commented on social media that “Americans seem to expend more energy trying to divide themselves than trying to unite themselves. No good will come of it.” It was written in response to the ever increasing divisiveness I see in Facebook posts/comments and in the media (and response to the media). Every idea and comment seems to be turned into a partisan debate. A friend commented: “Americans don’t, Politicians do. It furthers their respective agendas. They wouldn’t have a platform if we all got along.” Another, however, commented: “This and technology/privacy will be at least the greatest social issues of the next 10 years.” I agree that this is an ever worsening issue for the American people. One that must be addressed. As for this division being driven by politicians? I think this warrants some probing.
It is clear that politicians and the major media outlets have agendas. The presentation of these agendas—and, true, they are becoming increasingly extreme and divisive—provide us choices. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to form and express his or her own opinions. As I responded to my friend, “We have an awful lot of politicians, then. Or a lot of sheep.” Too often, we point the finger and blame a scapegoat for society’s ills when we are society. We decide who speaks for us and for what we speak.
The other spark for this post came from another friend sharing an article, “Netflix Sparks Outrage by Ruthlessly Mocking Christians in Popular New Show”, that was shared by www.chicksontheright.com. The article related an episode of Insatiable that some Christians are finding objectionable. Personally, I have no interest in the show because it just seems idiotic at its core (but that is my opinion). It is notable that this is one episode and not the sole premise for the series. (It would appear that the show seeks to be offensive on many levels.) My friend made a valid point that had another religious group been so mocked it would have caused outrage. At the core, the issue is that we get so easily offended in America today.
One side mocks society’s “snowflakes” and “safe spaces” in our universities. At the same time, they cry that their beliefs are under attack. Which side is the one that fears “triggers”?
There was a time when we could speak our mind and disagree. Disagreement might have been heated at times, but we weren’t as defensive. We certainly weren’t walking on egg shells for fear of offending—and the consequences of offending.
I am not so sure when the phase “political correctness” became so popular, but it seems that it is becoming increasingly partisan. Sadly, the whole concept of “political correctness” is quite un-American. It defies the very principle of the First Amendment (“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”). Freedom (like free speech) comes with consequences. Freedom is a double-edged sword. It means that people have the freedom to reveal and share their true character. It also means that one has the right to offend. When one’s speech or actions are objectionable, it does not mean that their freedom can be censored (by the government). We, as individuals and a society, however, can censor what we will. In other words, we can voice our disagreement (in a civilized fashion) or we can tune it out.
I have no intention of cancelling my Netflix account over one episode of a show that probably won’t last. (And it won’t last, if those who find it objectionable don’t watch.) I rather like a number of shows that Netflix offers. I alone choose what I watch and don’t watch. That is the power of choice. The media—on either partisan side—divide has no control me. If we are fed by one side or the other we are making the decision from where we feed. If we are feeling controlled by the media, it is because we has yielded our brains to the control of another.
I grew up in a time when comedians were equal opportunity offenders. The great Don Rickles comes to mind, as do many others. We could laugh at ourselves without feeling guilty. It always seemed to me that humor broke through the walls that separate us by poking at the cracks and causing us to look at ourselves and others in a different light and to cause us to think. When we got offended, it opened a door for discussion. It more often seemed to build bonds than break them. Humor was without a political agenda, per se.
A few years ago, Rowan Atkinson (better known as “Mr. Bean” and “Johnny English”) addressed the issue of the right to offend (and the importance of this)—see the video linked below. In his speech, Atkinson stated: “The clear problem with outlawing insult is that too many things can be interpreted as such.” Ridicule, criticism, sarcasm, etc. all have the potential to offend, as can expressing an alternative view. He suggests that the tendency of some to say, “I am only intolerant of intolerance.”, merely replaces one form of intolerance with another. I wholeheartedly agree. Atkinson likens the airing of offensive speech to a virus and the building of one’s immunity by one’s exposure to the virus. In other words, allowing one to air his or her ignorance serves to expose it and allow society to address it—collectively.
It saddens me how America (and the world) is so divided over ideas and personal beliefs. Outrage over such division should not create further separation. There is a call for discourse—a call to come together at the table of free speech and confront our difference. Undoubtedly, when we listen to the words of others for the purpose of hearing what that are saying rather than what we want to hear, we will find the common humanity that unites us.
Individually, we are responsible. Each of us has our role to play. One should not be intent on offending anyone. As well, however, no one should be so easily offended by the speech of another.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!
Rowan Atkinson speech: