I find this disturbing. It's the changing nature of what's offensive that I find bothersome.
In the early 80s, one of the top-rated shows featured a Dodge Charger with a Confederate flag on the roof and a horn that played 'Dixie'. I don't recall hearing any objections, even from the brave men and women of the civil rights movement. Tom Petty (who tended to lean left, politically) toured with the Confedrate flat. I knew people with flag tattoos (usually with text like 'Born to raise hell' or something similar). Poltical candidates of both parties (including Bill Clinton) had backers that distributed campaign buttons with the flag.
But that changed. The flag became a divisive symbol. I recognized it myself when Dr. Ben Carson said he found it offensive. At that point, I changed my attitude towards the flag, but I remembered the time when it was not offensive.
I feel bad for people like Civil War re-enactors, or history buffs that invested in memorabelia. Their hobbies are now hallmarks of racism. I don't see where they have much choice but to give them up.
So today the 'ok' symbol is racist and can get someone fired. What comes tomorrow? Clicking a pen? Snapping your fingers? There's no telling.
Pepe the frog went that way, as far as I can tell. Is Kermit next? How about Bugs Bunny? There's no telling.
In the early 80s, one of the top-rated shows featured a Dodge Charger with a Confederate flag on the roof and a horn that played 'Dixie'. I don't recall hearing any objections, even from the brave men and women of the civil rights movement. Tom Petty (who tended to lean left, politically) toured with the Confedrate flat. I knew people with flag tattoos (usually with text like 'Born to raise hell' or something similar). Poltical candidates of both parties (including Bill Clinton) had backers that distributed campaign buttons with the flag.
But that changed. The flag became a divisive symbol. I recognized it myself when Dr. Ben Carson said he found it offensive. At that point, I changed my attitude towards the flag, but I remembered the time when it was not offensive.
I feel bad for people like Civil War re-enactors, or history buffs that invested in memorabelia. Their hobbies are now hallmarks of racism. I don't see where they have much choice but to give them up.
So today the 'ok' symbol is racist and can get someone fired. What comes tomorrow? Clicking a pen? Snapping your fingers? There's no telling.
Pepe the frog went that way, as far as I can tell. Is Kermit next? How about Bugs Bunny? There's no telling.
I hope it stops.