Let's talk about the issues surrounding free speech in our society. One of them is we live in a time where everyone has become so politically correct, that many people don't say what they really think or feel anymore. No one wants to be accused of speaking out of term or saying something they'll regret. The other is on the rare occasion people do speak up or out, they are attacked, vilified and accused of all kinds of things. To illustrate the point, I read alot of comment blogs on stories of the day. The things that are posted on these blogs range from hysterically funny, to bullying to thoughtful insights.
It seems on the one hand society doesn't want to ruffle anyone's feathers, so we tolerate and allow things that just a short time ago was unacceptable or at least considered shady. Things such as having affairs with people's spouses, disrespectful children, defrauding people and a host of other things. Now we don't want to appear uncool or stuck in the stone ages so we go along to get along. Don't want to piss anyone off during our journey here. You don't have an affair with someones husband and then keep the dress and hold a news conference. What is that? Well it seems, it's the path to fame. We allow these people to not only have careers, but flourish and become reality TV stars. If your kid is rude and disrespectful, there's a host of TV shows, he/she can audition for and become well paid and famous for being a rude, obnoxious bully. If you like to swindle and cheat people out of their money, clients, belongings or whatever else, there's a show out there you can audition for as well. You can even become a writer at a well known newspaper or magazine. How about that for punishment and isolation so you can learn the error of your ways!!!! When we as a society don't speak out against this type of behavior it grows unchecked and takes on a life of its own. That's why we have torrid reality TV shows. An unchecked smorgasbord of emotionally, mentally, and intellectually stunted characters ruling our airwaves!!!!!
If you read some of the blogs, people can really make some disgraceful comments behind the safety of anonymity. Racism, sexism, classcism, elitism and all kind of other isms come out when you think you're anonymously responding. Interesting how expressively mean people can be when they think no one will ever know who they are. If you happen to speak out about a beloved celebrity, their fans will call you all kinds of names, harass you on Twitter, Facebook and anything else they can find you on. It's as if you're not entitled to an opinion if it isn't in line with theirs. The really funny part is these people don't need anyone defending them, they don't give a RAT'S ASS what you or I think. If they did, they wouldn't do most of the things they do. I for one don't have time to go around defending famous people who don't even know I exist.
Attacking the political representatives we put into office is another viciously practiced pastime in our country. Even if I didn't vote for the person and don't agree with their policies, I respect the fact that they were elected to office by a majority of constituents who want to see them there. I use the power of my vote to send a very clear message about who I want in office. I consider that more effective than verbally attacking someone.
I'm sick of people letting stupid statements out of their mouth and then wondering, "Was it something I said?" Yes it was!!!! This controversy going on about Gwyneth Paltrow and her free use of the N word is so ridiculously silly that I can't even imagine what the confusion is about. It is a word that should never cross her mouth or anyone else's for that matter ever again!!! It is disrespectful, meant to convey pain and should never ever be spoken by a white person period. If you let the word pass your lips for any reason, as far as I'm concerned, you are intentionally meaning to inflict pain and humiliation and all your silly black friends can run to your aid all they want to. It doesn't excuse your behavior. Free speech isn't really free, it comes at a price and that price seems to get steeper everyday!!!!!!
