Hate. Hate is a strong word. That statement however is based on perspective. Some people have professed the insignificance of words as they can only be given power by one's willingness to let them affect their person. But with that rationale, isn't the only way to alleviate such an issue be by calling for mankind to reach the next plateau of consciousness? To reach an emotional level of development that would allow all to shake the connotations, associations, and simply sheer baggage of grammar. The fabled ideal world where logic reigns supreme regardless of the sacrifices of individuality. For some 'strange' reason I don't see that happening any time soon.
The focus is North America, specifically The U.S. of A. Back as a teen, the desire to strike out and be unique was laughable. Laughable because everyone essentially wanted to be uniquely one thing of a set number of things. The formation of cliques developed from that. Those that wanted to be the smartest, the best at sports, the best artist, and even those who wanted to be uniquely, 'unique.' The push for acceptance while rebuking anyone who couldn't 'deal' was enormous. But 'then' and 'now' are eons apart. After the events of 9/11 a new age of censorship began in the U.S.. Whether it was by the government or just self-imposed out of fear, things had started changing. Hate began to take on a new form. One, more deceptive than ever before. Not for terrorism, or some faceless evil, but for free thought.
A war has been brewing against free thought for a long time. It's nothing new. When two people with differing beliefs meet, they tend to collide at some point or other. The collision is actually the good thing. Grabbing ankle only leads to deep seated anger towards the object of one's discontent. The collision can birth something new, something better, a sense of true acceptance as opposed to the tolerance that's being pushed forward. So where does this new breed of hate come in? The fight for speech. Rights are one thing. But the attacks on people's feelings is something else entirely.
People being held accountable for their remarks isn't anything new. Condemning people in hopes for that ideal utopian global community which accommodates every individual's ideals, beliefs, cultures, and even opinions is ridiculous. For one, short of a purely logical emotionally stagnated world, it's not feasibly possible. And, for two, that world already existed. It was called the internet. HOWEVER, bringing real world jurisdictions and 'law' into it have perverted it into a shell of the potential it once was. One of the few refugees for one to really express themselves has been slowly decaying into a corporate gloryhole. So where can one be themselves without sinking into the luxurious existence of a recluse?
I know a black man. I specifically state him as a 'black' man because he does not identify with the term 'African-American.' He holds no animosity towards it but from his perspective he doesn't understand how it applies to him. He is a natural born citizen of the U.S.A. birthed from parents also born and raised in the U.S.. Now after years of association with that man I've come to comprehend quite a bit about the nature of individuality. But were I to voice such understandings in an open forum I would find myself open to attack on the basis of being politically incorrect. Just as this post is open to the same attacks the level of security granted by anonymity makes continuing possible. Needless to say, life has changed.
Life is generally defined as being alive, living, not dead. But what kind of existence can one have when they pass through mute, weary of the newest growing obsession of being 'politically correct' in a world where people of differing ethnicities will show pride or aggression toward a word? Where people of differing sexualities can emote rage or even use casually, terms that generally refer negatively to those of their sexual preference? The uprising of people who share a common desire to be treated fairly is a righteous happening but, where is the line?
When the 'enlightened' jump on the bandwagon and start verbally assaulting anyone with a conflicting viewpoint, how can such a just cause not turn to the very thing it was started for? Therein lies a future. Obsessions with accommodation instead of acceptance. Tolerance instead of true resolution. Perhaps my generation has finally just gotten to the point where we start becoming our parents/grandparents, using terminology commonplace to an era that we're the only ones still living in.
Sh*t, never saw it coming.
---------------
Listening to: Why Can't We Be Friends
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:00PM 
