Thursday, June 16, 2005

The PC World is Gettin' Me Down

I have noticed lately that the world has gone insane. It is shocking to me that we are so consumed with political correctness and “doing the right thing” that we have lost all common sense.

For example, my post from yesterday. The Philadelphia Museum of Art was more concerned that my child might fall and hurt himself and I’d sue them, than they were in protecting valuable works of art from small, sticky fingers.

And what about Michael Jackson? I mean who really thinks he is innocent? Give me a break. Next time I want to break the law I'm going to California!

I think the problem is that we have become a society of blame. No one wants to take responsibility for themselves and their own actions. We want it to be someone else’s fault and we want to get paid for it.

Due to this “finger-pointing” mentality we have become so scared of voicing opinions and doing what is unpopular that we try to cater to every nutcase around.

My mom recently told me that some schools are going to a 1-2-3 or circle, square, diamond rating system. You know because A, B and C is just too much pressure for small children. I mean if you get a B and your friend gets an A – oh no! How will you handle it?

Or how about little leagues letting all kids play to be fair? Nevermind the idea of getting to play because you have ability and skill.

Here’s a newsflash people – life ain’t fair. We need to challenge our children and teach them about how the world works. If we keep coddling and catering we will just continue raising a society of politically correct pansies who cower at every turn.

You know what else irritates me? (Don’t worry – I’ll tell you.) Putting the word “person” in every saying. Policeperson, Fireperson, Chairperson, Flight Attendant (vs. Stewardess), etc.

I’m a woman who doesn’t give a shit about the fact that most terms are masculine.

Policeman – whatever.

I’m mean really, are women as a whole that insecure? Come on ladies – stop being our own worst enemies and focus on other issues. How about equal pay and better prenatal care? How about paternity leave so mothers who want to work don’t have to put their careers on hold?

So you don’t agree with me? Fine. Stop being so politically correct and give your opinion. There’s a comment section right there on the bottom of this post.

And if you have other issues? Write your congressman.

(Politically Correct Disclaimer....

If I have offended anyone....awww....who am I kidding - I don't care!)

11 Comments:

Blogger Erica said...

Fabulous post. I applaud you speaking your mind, and I agree with you on all points, particularly the 1-2-3 grading system, which my son (going into 2nd grade) is still under. I hope that in 3rd grade, they go to actual GRADES that reflect his performance. As it is, '3' means he is consistently meeting grade-level expectations. That doesn't tell me how WELL he's meeting them, or if he's exceeding them. He doesn't get excited by all the 3's, either. He's just showing up and doing his job, according to that report. No true recognition of whatever his effort might be.

9:17 AM  
Blogger PreppyGirl said...

I totally agree about the whole "Fireperson, Chairperson, Foreperson" thing. Next thing you know woman will become "woperson." Dumb.

We grew up just fine with the grading systems that have been in place for decades. Who is suggesting these changes? People who are still holding a grudge about that A they never got in gym class? Perhaps we should not concentrate on a different system, but a different way to love and reinforce the efforts of our children. Why does a C have to mean average? Maybe a C should mean NORMAL, or SATISFACTORY.
Can you imagine a child coming home to with a report card of "straight circles" ????

9:18 AM  
Blogger Carrie said...

The education system these days is so interesting. I too am a mother of a child in lower elementary. She will be in second grade. Her school system went from a number system to recently a grade. The number system allowed you to see where each student was for a certain standard. Of course, the number system report card took longer to fill out so it was eventually banned. Teachers only have so much time yet SOO many students. I understand why, but since the grade (A, B, etc) has been used my daughter has been more motivated. Not only am I a mother, but also a teacher (a high school teacher). It is interesting that the grade system is non-negotiable in the MS and HS.

As for your rant about the person/men, I couldn't agree with you more!!!!! To hell with the titles, give us women more money and credit!!!

12:08 PM  
Blogger Sherri said...

Glad to see the ladies are in agreement.....I wonder where the men stand????

12:24 PM  
Blogger Yoda said...

Sherri, this is a GREAT post, and unfortunately, in our PC world, your comments carry more weight because they're made by a "womyn".

For years, I've been amused by the many talented people in Hollywood who only seem to acknowledge being an "actress" when they're nominated for an award that comes with a gender-ambiguous golden statuette and a chance to gush for two minutes on television. For the rest of the year, they will say, "I am an actor."

Having had French Fries (and not "Freedom Fries") for lunch, I feel comfortable saying, "Vive la difference!"

It annoys me that persons in wheelchairs are "differently abled", though that's not so far from the truth; I ran in a five mile road race in which a "wheeled competitor" finished a full five minutes faster than I did because he had the "ability" to take the downhill half of the course at about 30 miles an hour. As far as I'm concerned, if you can't use the top shelf in your kitchen pantry, you're "handicapped." (And yeah, that's a shitty deal, no matter what you call it.)

I am "caucasian", or "white", but I am required to know (without being told) which "people of color" prefer to be called "black" and which prefer "African-American". Sometimes, white people prefer to be known as "Italian-American" and to them, I say, "For the Love of God, whatever you conceive her to be, make a choice!"

I resent that there are communities here that expect to reap the benefits of my culture without offering up the things that are excellent about theirs...in so doing, they diminish all of American society by perpetuating the very lack of understanding they rail against.

*sigh*

~Kurt

3:06 PM  
Blogger Lulu said...

I agree with it all. A friend sent me an awesome article all about how our children are babied and can't make decisions for themselves anymore. Parents take such good "care" of their children that they can't handle responsibility or disappointment. The article was from Psychology Today, if anyone wants I can forward it to them.
Except, I disagree about CA. People get off because of $$$ everywhere. Plus, I'm from CA and I would personally keep MJ in a basement full of beefy homosexuals if I could. :)

4:49 PM  
Blogger princess slea said...

I also agree with everything you said about the politically correct stuff and the leveling of the playing field but I must be the only person who is glad Michael Jackson was found not guilty. I do think he is weird and has a strange relationship with children but i really believe the mother and kids were lying about a lot of stuff and trying to get "easy" money. I watched a lot of the trial reviews and agreed with the jury ~ the prosecution just did not prove their case.
About the other stuff... there is a great movie based on a Kurt Vonnegut story called Harrison Bergeron. It takes place in the future and its after the 3rd World War, the people in charge decide to make everyone average so that no one was offended or caused problems and people who excelled at anything had to be handicapped (like the lead character was very intelligent so he had to wear a head band that inhibited his brain or this really good ball player had to wear weights tied to his ankles), anyway ~ check it out. I want my kids to be pushed and have goals to acheive and to realize when they don't work hard enough they can fail. They need to learn how to cope with losing as well as learning to be a gracious winner. And while I'm on a rant about kids today...has anyone noticed how freaking rude kids are?? I was at a playground with my 4 year old and these preteens were standing right by me and cussing, when I said something to them about not using that language in front of my kids (yes, I am officially grown up), they basically told me they didn't have to listen to me. Now, when I was that age I would have never talked that in front of any grown up and especially if they said something to me about it. It was at that moment I wished I had super powers and could have done something to really scare the shit out of them. I wanted to smack them for sure.

5:26 PM  
Blogger Sherri said...

Princess you are probably right about the specific charges against Michael Jackson....I agree that those people were probably lying and after money. BUT...I do think that he is guilty nontheless. Just my opinion. I suppose I wouldn't want me on my jury if I was charged with a crime I didn't commit, huh? :)

7:31 PM  
Blogger Sherri said...

Lulu....you are right about the $$$....it doesn't usually matter where you commit a crime if you are rich. Also, I would like to read that article...please forward :) Thanks.

P.S. So, being from California do you think East Coasters are crazy (other than getting up too early!)?

7:34 PM  
Blogger Yoda said...

I gotta chime in on MJ here...while I think the guy is an absolute one man freak show, I don't think he was guilty in this case, so much as set up. I don't think he ever had a childhood himself (how many of us can remember him performing on TV at age FIVE, for Heaven's sake), and his relationship with kids came about because he's never gotten past that point in his emotional development. If you look at the plastic surgery he's had done, it's obvious he's trying to figure out who he is and where he fits in the world.

The REAL criminals are his entourage...the people who are supposed to look out for his interests seem more interested in the ride than in helping him deal with his issues.

Very, very sad.

~Kurt

8:06 PM  
Blogger Lulu said...

I think East Coasters are awesome. And I get up early too. Maybe I should move...

Article on the way. :)

1:19 PM  

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