Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa. What kind of twisted world do we live in where these wishes are seen as inconsiderate and politically incorrect? I’m sorry, but if you are not Christian and a cashier at Banana Republic says “Merry Christmas” to you as you leave the store and you take offense, you need to rethink your priorities. To clarify, by “rethink your priorities” I mean “move far, far away from me.”
Over the break from classes, I was inundated with political agendas from all directions. Based on some of the claims I heard, it has become increasingly clear that some people are just insane and should be exiled as soon as possible. I think part of the problem is these people’s need to stir up trouble in attempts to make names for themselves as deep thinkers. I hate to break it to those of you who fit this description, but most of us sane human beings just see you as giant wastes of space. You do not need that negative publicity – it will devastate your career. However, the last time I checked, a worthless disgrace made pretty meager wages anyway, but that is neither here nor there.
You will have to forgive me if my freedom of religion is speaking for me somewhat. I have always believed that freedom of religion meant that we are all free to believe in whatever religion we choose to, while respecting others of different faiths. Freedom of religion has never claimed to keep all other religions but yours away from you. As a result, as we enjoy our own freedoms, we must understand others’ rights to the same.But what ticked me off the most this holiday season was hearing about a tree lot with a sign reading “Holiday trees for sale.” Give me a break! Frasier firs are not holiday trees, they are Christmas trees. If you do not celebrate Christmas, you do not need to get a Christmas tree. If you want to have a plant to decorate in your home over the holidays, adopt a type and give it a name. Complaining that calling a tree a Christmas tree is offensive and religiously unequal is completely absurd – get a hobby! This just in, trying to change a historical tradition is not a hobby – sorry, Scrooge. Don’t we already have enough problems? I think starvation and human suffering are just a tad more important, so work on those for a while.
Something else that was brought to my attention over the holidays was the insistence that certain athletic teams need to change their “offensive and politically incorrect” mascots to something more friendly. I mean really, for well over 50 years Florida State has been known as the Seminoles without anyone knowingly taking offense. Rush Limbaugh made a very interesting point in asking how far it would go. He added that the NCAA needed to rethink its stance, especially since it is headquartered in Indianapolis which, when translated means city of Indians. What bothers me is that it wasn’t the Indians who had the major problem with the mascot. On the contrary, many Seminole Indians protested the change because it was taking away from the recognition of their tribe. So, who is behind it? Oversensitive, obnoxious, probably unemployed citizens with nothing better to do than stir up trouble.
We are living in a time in which people are becoming more and more sensitive to any and everything they are faced with. People are more susceptible to disease and willing to take almost anything to stop one symptom even if it causes ten others, and people are more sensitive to insults from other classes, races and statuses. Not only are people more sensitive, but they are quicker to blame others for their shortcomings. After the unnecessarily famous comment from Kanye West, I realized how unintelligent and immature some people can be. It is a sad truth that many people have become weaker in character. They need to step back and look at what is important and find some inner strength and morality. Having to worry if wishing someone “Merry Christmas” will offend them is a fear that should never be felt by anyone. The only fear that should be felt is the fear of living a lifetime without having any positive impact on someone else’s life.
Tell Meghan she’s too politically correct at [email protected]
