MaverickVoice.com

Yesterday, I posted a status on Facebook.com that, I will admit, could be viewed as being “Politically Insensitive.” In my post, I stated that I had eaten too much Indian food at dinner, and identified the type of Indian with a clarification: “Dot, not Feather.” I was harshly criticized and accused of being racist this morning by a friend who took umbrage with that clarification.

Now, as has become the norm in our society, my first reaction was one of apology. After all, my comment had brought discomfort to someone. I thought, “I was insensitive. I shouldn’t have said that. I should apologize.”

Then, something occurred to me: There’s absolutely nothing racist with what I said. Yes, it was insensitive, but it wasn’t meant to be hurtful. It was an observation that, with those from India, it is part of their culture to utilize a red mark on their forehead during their religious celebrations. For Native Americans, also known as Indians, it is common to adorn their clothing and headwear with feathers. It isn’t disrespectful to observe these things, and, though representing a stereotype, my statement didn’t ridicule those cultural characteristics.

Being Politically Correct doesn’t change a person’s opinions. It doesn’t change the way people judge one another, nor does it alter the way they are treated. It doesn’t eradicate hatred, or prejudice, or discrimination. In fact, the only thing that being Politically Correct does is HIDE the truth, and give people a false opinion of the way things truly are.

I have decided that I will surrender my fight to be Politically Correct. I will never again say anything in a way specifically crafted to hide what I mean out of some misdirected attempt to spare the feelings of a few who will likely find a way to feel hurt about what I said anyway. That doesn’t mean that I have to be cruel or unkind, but it doesn’t do a damn bit of good for me to play this game. If someone is a short, fat, ugly, bald white guy with a lisp, I’m not going to call them a “vertically-challenged, gravitationally-disadvantaged, aesthetically-displeasing, follically-disenfranchised, pigmentally-deficient male with a speech impediment.” It serves no purpose but to make communication difficult understand. And being a tall, fat white guy, I’m OK with being called a tall, fat white guy. It’s what I am!

I will apologize only to those with a reason to feel insulted by what I said. If this comment made you feel disrespected in any way, please accept my apology. It was unintended. If, however, you are neither from India nor a member of a Native American Tribe, shut your judgmental pie hole and look in the mirror. You are being disrespectful to me.

To paraphrase Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe: “I Will Be Politically Correct No More Forever.”

Filed under: Politics by T. Edwin Perry