I’m disturbed in the same way the story of the boy who cried wolf disturbs me.
Sexual abuse is no laughing matter. It’s serious. Yet we trivialize a very serious matter by making subjective judgement calls about what constitutes sexual harassment or ‘unwelcome speech’.
Whose ‘unwelcome’ speech are we talking about?
By these new nebulous standards of ‘unwelcome speech’ anyone who disagrees with someone politically or sexually or religiously could be accused of ‘unwelcome speech’ and his or her reputation could be impugned and his or her job imperiled. I’m willing to bet a million bucks we ain’t talking about a threat to left of center political, sexual or religious sensibilities. And I’m left of center in many ways. I’m offended by this new Politically Correct version of ‘unwelcome speech’. It’s unwelcome.
I can’t think of any classic novel or movie that doesn’t contain ‘unwelcome speech’. To Kill A Mockingbird? Women In Love? The Turn of the Screw? Jane Eyre? Little Women? Sounder? Old Yeller surely constitutes ‘unwelcome speech’ in doglandia. The collected works of William Shakespeare? Dante? The Bible? The Koran? Remember the days of banned books? What about all the James Bond movies? Uh, sexist anyone? I think I’ll go stage a sit-in at The Hangover III cuz that movie epitomizes ’unwelcome speech’.
Ooh, and Mad Men would have to go. ’Unwelcome speech’, I tells ya! Hey, blood-sucking over-sexed vampires offend some people. Better get rid of True Blood.
Sharon Osborne made fun of Anthony Weiner’s nose on The Talk just this past week. I think Anthony Weiner is a joke of a human being and the fact that he’s running for mayor of New York is ludicrous, but her comments about his nose could be construed as racist and offensive. Should I file a complaint with the FCC?
I can’t think of a single comedian who wouldn’t be banned from performing because comedians are all about ‘unwelcome speech’. Farewell to the Colbert Report or The Daily Show or Saturday Night Live, or, god forbid, The Simpsons! And Eddie Murphy? Wow! He’s known for his hilarious equal opportunity offensive ‘unwelcome speech’ humor.
So it’s like this- I find green peppers offensive. Perhaps I should file a lawsuit asking that green peppers be banned from all stores, markets and farmer’s markets because in my world they constitute ‘unwelcome speech’ as even the mention of a green pepper makes me uncomfortable. I need to be protected from green peppers!
You think I’m being supercilious, but I’m not. As a survivor of child sexual abuse, rape, and domestic violence, this stupidity diminishes and dilutes the real issues. Besides, it’s flat out unAmerican.
In America we are allowed to disagree. When I was a little kid, my dad was big into the Civil Rights Movement. He took me to rallies before I could even walk. At some point in time - obviously when I was older - I asked him why certain groups were allowed to preach hatred of other groups, and he replied - “This is America. This is the greatness of America. We do not legislate speech. Under our Constitution, even hate groups have the right to express their views just as we have the right to disagree with them. Totalitarian states restrict freedom of speech. I don’t want to live in a Totalitarian state.”
See here: Feds rooting out ‘unwelcome speech’ on campus: But what is that?
Here’s a portion of the article, a pointed comment from Wendy Kaminer on Atlantic.com:
“Moreover, what’s troubling to some critics is that the idea of subjectively silencing “unwelcome speech” about sex may seep into other corners of campus life, even going so far as to poison debates about personal ideology and politics.
“I doubt [the new sexual harassment policy] is intended to be fairly enforced,” writes civil libertarian Wendy Kaminer on Atlantic.com. “I doubt federal officials want or expect it to be used against sex educators, advocates of reproductive choice, anti-porn feminists, or gay rights advocates, if their speech of a sexual nature is ‘unwelcome’ by religious conservatives.”
“When people demand censorship of ‘unwelcome’ speech, they’re usually demanding censorship of speech that they find unwelcome,” Ms. Kaminer writes. “They usually seek to silence their political or ideological opponents, not their friends – all in the name of some greater good.”
We must always guard our freedoms and be wary of unintended consequences.
This is very scary stuff. You’re right when you say, “I’m willing to bet a million bucks we ain’t talking about left of center political, sexual or religious sensibilities.”
I think you and I are saying the same thing, Stephanie. Seems to me us left of center people are becoming pretty damn intolerant - and that is very scary. I don’t talk politics much. Obviously it’s a loaded topic. I’m independent, never vote a party, vote a person and an issue, tend to be on the socially liberal side, the fiscal conservative side and I am not a fan of ginormous bureaucracy.
Whoa, now here’s an article worth thinking about. And talking about. Good one, Julia.
I am very troubled by rising attitudes I’m seeing in America these days. Where a differing opinion is considered a declaration of war. Where “like and dislike” carry the same weight as “good and evil.” Where entire blocks of people, especially kids, are being taught or innoculated with the oddball notion that “feelings” can take the place of thought. We’re raising a generation so devoid of self-discipline and self-control, that they are obsessed with controlling others. It’s disturbing and scary and it makes for lousy conversations, too.
Yes, obnoxious speech is… obnoxious. Yes, people need to learn that speech is an action and actions have consequences. But no, never tell someone to shut up. Never give a governing body the power to shut anyone up. (Except Mom at the dinner table)
Thanks for posting this.
Thanks for your comment, Jaye. I am flashing on book burning. You’re right- very troubling.
This is an outstanding article - rant. And I agree with one-hundred percent of it.
I too seldom delve into the political; especially on my blog. I have put my big toe in once in a while. But I tread carefully.
I too am very concerned about freedom of speech in America today. I am concerned about other freedoms too: like my right to eat the kind of food I want without the Food Police scolding me at every turn.
Freedom means being able to make a mistake.
There is a strong authoritarianism movement in America too. And that bothers me very much as well. I believe we have to take personal responsibility for our actions. Every time we do something for some one else, no matter how well meaning, we take away personal responsibility and freedom.
I am not sure what to do about all of this But I will tell you this. I am willing to fight and die to preserve our Constitution, the nation, and my freedoms!
My hope is that the system our Founding Fathers devised, and our history seems to affirm, is that the nation tends to right itself over time. I am hoping that occurs again.
This is a pervasive and worrisome trend, Roberta. I too believe in personal responsibility. I hate talking politics and religion but censorship in the guise of ‘unwelcome speech’ truly alarms me.
“…..censorship in the guise of ‘unwelcome speech’ truly alarms me.”
As well it should. Count me among those alarmed. And yes, an alarming trend.
Historically, have you noticed a cycle? I have. Ever 100-150 years same evil stuff keeps cropping up.
Sorry for spello. Every, not ever.
Don’t worry, I can always edit your comment to make it more ‘welcome’!
Ah yes, life is cyclical.
I’m fuckin right there with you Julia! They can all kiss my lilly white ass!
Dear dear Ray… I knew I could count on you to speak your mind!
I understand speech being controlled in elementary, middle and high school but college is where the adults play and free speech speech should be encouraged. Yet as I type this I guess I see where there has to be some limitations on campus but I’m not too sure what that limit should be.
Hmmmm. Let me think, Ray. Limitations. I think one shouldn’t be able to encourage people to commit crimes. I think any kind of legit sexual harassment is dead wrong - regardless of who is doing the harassing. However while it may be cruel to call someone stupid, it’s not a crime.
Don’t think this means I’m saying bullying is okay because I’m not. I hate bullying.
However we need to think very carefully before we legislate correct speech.
I do understand but is racist speak or anti-any religious speak or Nazi speak allowed or not? This kinda talk can cause (and has) violence on campus. Is there a need to protect tham from that possibility? I dunno!
Well Ray, on the one hand I won’t touch this with a ten foot pole. On the other hand, yes, some racist stuff and anti-religious stuff does happen on college campuses and nobody says boo. All depends upon your perspective and your agenda.
I hope you’re right because I think we should be able to discuss everything. Also there would be very little humor without some inappropriateness. It’s a thin line we walk sometimes.
I think we all need a sense of humor. And yes, humor is so beautifully inappropriate! That’s why it’s funny.
Fuckin A!
So, you decided to go the highbrow route on this post then, just to show off your versatility again………..
This reminds me of Reginald D Hunter a black American comedian who has lived here for some time and is a regular on a couple of TV shows. As a man of colour he favours the word nigger, a lot, like a lot of black comedians, Eddie Murphy too I think.
The professional football (soccer) association were having their annual bash a few weeks ago and decided to book him as the main act and then complained bitterly at his use of the word and threatened to sue him for the return of his fee!
Racism should not be tolerated in any way shape or form and there is still a problem in European football with this. Hunter uses this word constantly and in his blurb, so why did they book him in the first place, morons….
Most of what an individual or organisation says, will be ‘unwelcome’ and even unpallatable to some section of people, but your dad was correct, a totalitarian society isn’t the answer, the right to reply and respond with reasoned argument is
Racism is abhorrent, Tom, but here’s the difficulty - it’s not against the law to express racist sentiments. As I said, if it was Sharon Osborne would be under arrest right now for making fun of Anthony Weiner’s Jewish nose. People do it all the time and I should know as we were the recipients growing up - we were the minority in our community. Being sort of mutts my dad said - “Don’t worry. Someone will always have a reason to hate you. Deal with it.” He was right.
Yes, the football association got what they paid for - so they should deal with it and quit their bitchin’.
Unwelcome speech sounds like the new way of saying “shut up”
Anthony Weiner’s nose is his most innocent body part, its not making trouble.
Sharon Osborne was born Jewish, or at least half so maybe she just doesn’t like Anthony?
I’d rather hear “Shut up!” Kat. If someone is being offensive leave or tell them to shut up and explain why their words are offensive. I truly do not want to legislate crude speech. Anthony Weiner’s nose is his most innocent body part— truer words were never spoke!
I’m sure Sharon Osborne doesn’t like the man, neither do I. However I wouldn’t bring up his nose in my reasons for not liking the man.
Good that you’re ringing the alarm bells. Unwelcome speech is only unwelcome to some ears and welcome to others. How do we differentiate? How do we do that? One size doesn’t fit all. Without free speech, we do not grow as people. We stagnate, or worse, go backwards.
Very true, Diana. Kind of reminds me of the Woody Allen movie, Sleeper - everyone behaves. Or maybe Demolition Man, the silly movie with Sylvester Stallone and Sandra Bullock.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN SILLY??????? See what happens when you give people free speech!!!! %^%#@*&%$#@!
Ray- heeeee-heeeee!