whatever happened to common sense

[linnie]

I was driving into town the other day and noticed they had taken a sign down that has been a land mark for over 100 years..
Apparently it isnt politically correct anymore

This place was named Blackfellows gully.. Do any of you think that is degrading to indigenous people??
I suppose kids wont be able to play blind mans bluff soon.
We have already been told to change the name of Jap pumpkin

Soon we will have no aussie or irish jokes either lol

With so many huge problems facing mankind and the earth.. global warming just to name one... why do people waste their time trying to be politically correct??? Time could be much better spent worrying about the future of the world rather than a few names

[Swiftwind]

I agree with you, Linnie. Some people just go too far sometimes. It's such a shame that you have to lose heritage landmarks because someone thinks it will offend others. Gosh, that sign has been there for over 100 years, surely it hasn't caused such a widespread negative impact on the community.

[D.Schäferhund]

Heelo,
I agree, some people just do not have any comon sense....

If we change all the names an such, we will forget...
Isn't stuff like that not a reminder on what used to be..
a reminder, that this excisted, and the mistreatment somepople suffered?
If we erase everithing don't we erase the memory, too?

we have kids gem "who is affraid of the black man" as a kid i have never made a connection to africans or african americans, i remember I even wondered if it is the chimneysweeper, but why should i be affraid of him??? now i know what it really meant but am i believing it, no!

Forgetting about the negative things that happened in the history is the worst thing you can do, if you forget are more likely to repeat these things...

It happened and beeing quiet about it of forgetting it, or making people forget about it, by changing names. is worse than somebody beeing offended by that name...

[Beryl]

Well, I'm glad they changed the name of that place if the indigenous people were offended.

If I am not personally offended by a phrase or action, it is not for me to determine if it should continue. Only the voice of those who are insulted have any validity, IMO.

Now, I agree with D.S (above) with not forgetting the sins of the past so that we don't repeat them. That is different from getting rid of constant reminders in the form of slogans, phrases, signs, etc.

We had a sign up in a couple of towns in Colorado like "N-, Don't let the sun go down on your A-". That meant that all Black people had to be out of that town before dark. Should we leave up that sign to preserve history? I think not! Take a picture of it and put the picture in a museum along with all of the lynching pictures!

I say, if it offends, stop doing it and get over it. If we don't change, we won't improve.

[theGOOCH]

I wasn't aware that referring to someone as a "black fellow" or "black guy" was offensive.

I'm not sure where I stand on a lot of this stuff. Several years back Miami of Ohio changed their mascot from the Redskins to the RedHawks.

[Novel]

These things just irritate the heck out of me... are people so thin skinned??? I seriously just don't get it!!

[Beryl]

I believe you, Novel.

Those who do "get it" realize that those who are offended often have the thickest of skins. In fact, intolerant and offensive behavior causes the offended to develop calluses. Precisely why we shouldn't want offenses to continue.

Too bad people can never really walk in another's shoes.

[linnie]

Originally Posted by Beryl

Well, I'm glad they changed the name of that place if the indigenous people were offended.

If I am not personally offended by a phrase or action, it is not for me to determine if it should continue. Only the voice of those who are insulted have any validity, IMO.

Now, I agree with D.S (above) with not forgetting the sins of the past so that we don't repeat them. That is different from getting rid of constant reminders in the form of slogans, phrases, signs, etc.

We had a sign up in a couple of towns in Colorado like "N-, Don't let the sun go down on your A-". That meant that all Black people had to be out of that town before dark. Should we leave up that sign to preserve history? I think not! Take a picture of it and put the picture in a museum along with all of the lynching pictures!

I say, if it offends, stop doing it and get over it. If we don't change, we won't improve.

Beryl I would find a sign like you described as very VERY offensive
But I can see no way that "blackfellows gully" could be degrading too their race.

It actually got its name as it was a place where they lived at one time.
If I were a black person I would be proud that my heritage was remembered.

It would be impossible to not offend everyone as we all have differing opinions..
If I have to pretend that black people didnt exist in this area I would think that a really big insult to them.

Its a bit like the blonde jokes people say to me lol ( I am definately blonde ) I dont get upset I just enjoy the joke

[Novel]

Originally Posted by Beryl

I believe you, Novel.

Those who do "get it" realize that those who are offended often have the thickest of skins. In fact, intolerant and offensive behavior causes the offended to develop calluses. Precisely why we shouldn't want offenses to continue.

Too bad people can never really walk in another's shoes.

I'm a bit troubled by your response to me Beryl... Perhaps because of the internet, my short response and the lack of inflection in my post you have thought I have said something that I did not say, nor intend to.

I am a Christian... It irritates me everytime that someone feels that the Ten Commandments should be removed from a courthouse, or a creche removed from a public park. Not only is it this nation's history, but it is my strong belief. To me it is reverse discrimination of the worst kind. To me it is the minority overthrowing the rights of the majority, yet... it happens daily in this country.

I do not for one second believe that those "offended" by my beliefs or my nations history have thick skins of any kind. Throughout history, time and time again, it is the Christian with the thick skin... The Christian that time and time again is persecuted, and will continue to be.


To change the subject a little bit, I also live in a town that is predominently populated by indigenous peoples, a native american tribe that has been moved around by the "white man" for centuries. Our local school's sport's team is the "Chiefs". During the rash of PCness, every school in the area changed their name as to not offend... when in reality, the Ho-Chunk were proud of this name, and had no wish for their city to change the name. The school did not change despite fervent protest... from whom... some PC white group. Why do they care?? Who knows... But it wasn't their fight, but they thought they should stick their nose in where it doesn't belong so someone somewhere wouldn't get offended, when those who are actually in the situation were just fine. That's bologna and that's why I don't get it... and will continue to not get it!

People have to much time on their hands and they're more concerned about high school sport's team names then they are about the environment, the homeless, crime and education in inner city areas and starving children in the homes of the lower class US citizen.

[theGOOCH]

Originally Posted by Novel

I am a Christian... It irritates me everytime that someone feels that the Ten Commandments should be removed from a courthouse, or a creche removed from a public park. Not only is it this nation's history, but it is my strong belief. To me it is reverse discrimination of the worst kind. To me it is the minority overthrowing the rights of the majority, yet... it happens daily in this country.

I do not for one second believe that those "offended" by my beliefs or my nations history have thick skins of any kind. Throughout history, time and time again, it is the Christian with the thick skin... The Christian that time and time again is persecuted, and will continue to be.

Everywhere I turn these non-christrians are all in my face, telling me what's appropriate to watch, how to live my life, when to have sex, which drugs are OK and which aren't, how I should vote, what I should do with my Sundays. Really, there's no escaping them.

[theGOOCH]

OK Novel, I'll try to be less inflammatory here....

Why do Christians seem to have this overwhelming need to have their faith reaffirmed or "cheered" everywhere they go? Why do you care if the guy at Target says "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"? Why do you need the 10 commandments at a courthouse?

I'm certainly not offended by your beliefs, but I don't think religion should be infused into the government sector (although it is all the time ex. liquor laws, adult business bans, it was basically illegal to be gay in several states until a few years ago).

To me, having the 10 commandments at a courthouse is like saying "We shall not institute a state religion" while winking and nodding. It really gives at least the impression that verdicts could be considered on the basis of scripture and not common law....which is scary.

[GSD]

I still really fail to see where the insult is in Blackfellows gully??? And please, when some people are "offended" by people wearing baseball hats in public, and are offended by hugging or kissing in public, or are offended by a high end dog store called the "bitches closet" or something like that, and still more people are offended that some stores are open on sundays, and someone is offended that their kid can't do this, and other kids can do that, etc, it all gets a little rediculous.

[theGOOCH]

Originally Posted by GSD

I still really fail to see where the insult is in Blackfellows gully??? And please, when some people are "offended" by people wearing baseball hats in public, and are offended by hugging or kissing in public, or are offended by a high end dog store called the "bitches closet" or something like that, and still more people are offended that some stores are open on sundays, and someone is offended that their kid can't do this, and other kids can do that, etc, it all gets a little rediculous.

LOL, my father is offended if someone rides shirtless at the bike path

[trainingrixie]

i'm christian...i believe in separation of church and state to the fullest extent just like Gooch. and i also agree with linnie that people read into things too much. I'm a "midget" in that I'm just under 4'10", but I don't have dwarfism...soooooooo...there are many things in this world that I could find offense, but dont.

[trainingrixie]

GOOCH..good thing your dad doesn't come around my folk's when my dad mows the lawn....shorts and Rockies all the way...I make a point to be gone for several hours when he plans on mowing....its a big yard. It's just humiliating