The Poster Child For The Dangers Of Political CorrectnessWhat Can I Say That Hasn't Already Been Said?
Through my years of writing The Political Commentator I have said on any number of occasions that it is political correctness itself that will be a significant contributer to the ending of society as we know it today. Whether from a feeling of moral superiority, or more from what I suspect to be fear of retribution, Americans are extremely careful about what it is they say, and who it is they say it about in only one instance. The Muslim faith, specific Muslim groups or specific Muslim individuals.
Beyond those areas, it would seem that anything goes. So what is it exactly that Williams said that led to his firing? Did it reach the level of a fireable offense? You decide:
"I mean, look, Bill, I’m not a bigot. You know the kind of books I’ve written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous."
So Then, What Is Okay To Say?
Well certainly in our society any degree of conservative bashing is not only tolerated, but is actually encouraged. One need only to look back at the time that an NPR employee wished for the demise of Rush Limbaugh, not only from the radio but from life itself. She, as far as I know, is still gainfully employed there.
There are constant references made regarding the Tea Party movement and the fact that it is comprised of racists, bigots and rednecks as well as being prone to violence at demonstrations. The fact is that more to the point it are the liberals and those who consider themselves to be morally superior who seem to foment violence and have no tolerance for a dissenting point of view.
In addition, Jews whether Reform, Conservative or Orthodox, blacks, Christians, Protestants, Hindus, the Chinese, Russians, Brazilians, Eskimos and basically any other person or group all seem to be fair game.
So What Isn't Okay?
It appears that in society today, the one area that is off limits to speak about in any way other than in glowing terms, are Muslims and the Muslim faith. Juan Williams found that out the hard way when on the Bill O'Reilly Show he simply said what many feel. When other passengers on our flight are dressed in traditional Muslim garb some thoughts of concern go through the mind. Maybe not for all of us but definitely for some of us. Having lived through 9/11, is that so unreasonable?
If Williams had said that when an obviously Orthodox man is on his plane he is concerned, would Jewish groups have complained, and if they did would he have been fired? Of course not.
In the case of Juan Williams and any others scenarios like it that revolve around the Muslim faith, there is an immediate fear of retribution which leads to the knee-jerk reaction that we see here.
Political correctness is a dangerous way to conduct our society.
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This is the silliest blog post I think I've ever read. I disagree with Williams being fired, as I think he helped our country understand that even highly-educated members of another historically discriminated against minority group can harbor feelings of prejudice, which must be combated. But if you think the protective hedge against bigotry in our society extends only to Muslims, I can only ask this question:
ReplyDeleteHave you been living under a rock for the past two or three years?
No, you bring up an extremely good point. There has definitely been at least one other "protected" group the past 2 or 3 years. I stand corrected.
ReplyDelete