Political correctness
Recently I have had a chance to browse Terms of Service and End User Agreements of several blogging sites and image galleries. They all stated, in slightly differing terms, that all types of content, exhibiting hatred, insult or harassment are explicitly prohibited. This led me to think about things and events that I would like to have shared with my friends on-line, and I must say, many things would not fit the rules. I went and contacted the support staff on several sites, only to get an explicit NO from them in response to my question would a certain type of content be allowed.
In the world of political correctness, where more and more things seemingly becoming taboo with every passing day, it becomes, in my opinion, harder and harder to speak without offending someone, or something. But I don't want to offend anybody, I just want to speak about things that trouble me, and may trouble many more, if these things remain untouched, ignored, forgotten or tolerated.
I want to speak about antisemitic slogans, spray-painted on municipal buildings. And I want to add an image as a proof to my words to those who say there are no such things. I do not hate jews, some of my friends, and of the people I respect are of jewish origin. These slogans insult me, as a tolerant citizen of hopefully democratic country. But I have no means to remove them and no means to make the authorities to remove them. The possible way to be heard is to send the image to the newspaper, but they have enough material to make their living, so the response is unlikely. But is I remain quiet, then I will be tolerating these slogans, and in hopes that every aspect of life must be heard, seen and criticized to make the life better I want to speak.
It seems to me, the mass information media, the TV, radio, newspapers and news agencies have monopolized the right to shed the light on such things, and in many cases they too turn the blind eye on them.
I don't want to speak anonymously. I haven't painted these words, I just document them for those, who believe we have no problems with hatred or intolerance. When the municipal workers go and wash away the writing, I agree to remove its image from my gallery, or web log, or whatever. But there are more then words. We have had our first official neo-nazi march through the city. The authorities say that the march is over, and the problem is no more? no need to talk about it, don't tarnish our image. But the problem is still here. Some things must be told again and again, or they will return.
I want to speak about freedom of thought without constantly being reminded that this offends religious people. Does it offends them because they have no freedom of thought? I have friends practicing different religions. When I speak with them about their beliefs I do my best not to insult them. In some cases I apologize in advance. But I want to be able to speak, to ask a questions, and not be approached by strangers saying I should not speak of these things because I don't understand them. But I want to understand!
And there is a thing called historical truth. When I draw a picture of BB Tirpitz anchored at Alta, I want to paint a swastika on it. Not because I like Nazism, or want to promote its ideas, but because it was there. To remind others, and myself too, that the technological masterpiece and beautiful scenery can be used for terrible things in hands of people wielding terrible ideology.
Am I hyper reacting, over-blowing the problem, or does this problem exists only in my confused brain?
In the world of political correctness, where more and more things seemingly becoming taboo with every passing day, it becomes, in my opinion, harder and harder to speak without offending someone, or something. But I don't want to offend anybody, I just want to speak about things that trouble me, and may trouble many more, if these things remain untouched, ignored, forgotten or tolerated.
I want to speak about antisemitic slogans, spray-painted on municipal buildings. And I want to add an image as a proof to my words to those who say there are no such things. I do not hate jews, some of my friends, and of the people I respect are of jewish origin. These slogans insult me, as a tolerant citizen of hopefully democratic country. But I have no means to remove them and no means to make the authorities to remove them. The possible way to be heard is to send the image to the newspaper, but they have enough material to make their living, so the response is unlikely. But is I remain quiet, then I will be tolerating these slogans, and in hopes that every aspect of life must be heard, seen and criticized to make the life better I want to speak.
It seems to me, the mass information media, the TV, radio, newspapers and news agencies have monopolized the right to shed the light on such things, and in many cases they too turn the blind eye on them.
I don't want to speak anonymously. I haven't painted these words, I just document them for those, who believe we have no problems with hatred or intolerance. When the municipal workers go and wash away the writing, I agree to remove its image from my gallery, or web log, or whatever. But there are more then words. We have had our first official neo-nazi march through the city. The authorities say that the march is over, and the problem is no more? no need to talk about it, don't tarnish our image. But the problem is still here. Some things must be told again and again, or they will return.
I want to speak about freedom of thought without constantly being reminded that this offends religious people. Does it offends them because they have no freedom of thought? I have friends practicing different religions. When I speak with them about their beliefs I do my best not to insult them. In some cases I apologize in advance. But I want to be able to speak, to ask a questions, and not be approached by strangers saying I should not speak of these things because I don't understand them. But I want to understand!
And there is a thing called historical truth. When I draw a picture of BB Tirpitz anchored at Alta, I want to paint a swastika on it. Not because I like Nazism, or want to promote its ideas, but because it was there. To remind others, and myself too, that the technological masterpiece and beautiful scenery can be used for terrible things in hands of people wielding terrible ideology.
Am I hyper reacting, over-blowing the problem, or does this problem exists only in my confused brain?