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Merry Christmas it is - and will be

Not a very politically correct kind of gal.

Somehow, folks have been brainwashed into thinking if we give things different names it makes it better or less offensive. I think if you offend easily you might just be a tad insecure.

I can’t ever remember being upset by anyone calling me “girl” yet I know others are deeply offended by that term once you pass the age of majority. I routinely refer to the females at the Tillsonburg Senior Centre as girls and the males as boys. If I have offended any of you, my apologies, but it is used with affection, never derogatory or demeaning.

It is confusing as to what is considered appropriate since being referred to as ladies isn’t acceptable anymore, either. And I do use that term as well, occasionally, if a bunch comes in. I am not sure what the suitable term is these days. Women? Can’t see myself welcoming a group of friends with, “Good morning, women.” So girls or ladies it is.

I don’t know what the correct term is anymore when referring to people of African descent. Have never used the N-word and understand why it is offensive, but when, how and why did the once acceptable terms Negro, Coloured or Black become offensive? I object to the hyphenated version as well, African-American, African-British or whatever, since it continues to separate a segment of society from the general population. It becomes quite uncomfortable when people try to describe a Person of Colour these days, (don’t know if that is OK to use or not) without using obvious terminology – “He’s, you know, quite dark,” or “Well, she’s, ummm, not white.”

And you know a deaf person can’t hear any better if you call them hearing impaired. A blind person can’t see if they are referred to as sight impaired.

Any term we use to describe others can be insulting depending on what is in the heart of the person using the word. Saying someone is chubby, overweight, hefty, chunky, plump, big, etc. can be just as nasty as fat, piggy, sloppy, etc. if said from a mean-spirited heart.

Recently, a friend couldn’t remember the name of the singer she had gone to see in concert. In trying to trigger recollection she began to described her. It went something like this, “You know, that beautiful singer from the East Coast, she died recently, she’s round, I just love her singing,…”

I do not think Rita McNeill would be offended with the description mainly because it is true and there was no cruelty or malice in her heart.

I am a Christian, a Catholic to be exact, and this is the Christmas season. To us it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. That fact is not minimized by the gifts we buy or the snowmen, Santa Clauses, trees, sparkle, glitter, ornaments and lights we use to decorate our homes. I am not insulting anyone when I wish them a Merry Christmas because that is what is in my heart. If your heart does not hold that sentiment or that belief, then by all means use the Happy Holidays greeting but do not expect me to change my heart to suit yours.

twocentsworth40@hotmail.com

 

Distroscale

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