I have had at least fifteen conversations about censorship recently, so I guess I can blog about it today.
I will say my personal relationship with censorship has been: I should practice it. I was told by my mother to behave (don't swear at your sister). I was told by my bosses (essentially) to behave (don't swear at your customer). And after numerous occasions where I deeply offended friends while practicing what I was convinced was scathing wit (but was really just scathing), I learned to behave around them, too.
What I find funny is that the people who don't like censorship will very often be the same people who get upset/disgusted when the younger generation sticks up/fights/pickets for something they truly believe in. And before you get too excited, censorship fans: I have the same to say about your behaviors (just flipped). We're all a little hypocritical and - at some point - censorship is in the eye of the beholder. It is subjective. It is not definitive. Yes, the definition is definitive:
1.
the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.
But who is to say what is to be considered "obscene"? Or better yet: "politically unacceptable"? I am nearly certain that the non-censors only mean that they are the way they are and they don't care to consider others throughout the interim. They will tell you to get over it/relax/stop being so sensitive. Meanwhile, once the censor-fans hear this blatant dismissal and/or inconsiderate behavior, they will tell the nons where to shove it. And then the nons will get offended/be dreadfully uncomfortable/touche'd and retaliate with more non-censored language.
I can't help but sit on the fence and observe both sides with binoculars. Curious.
Once again I believe "balance" to be the answer here. Here's my current opinion on the matter:
Follow the Golden Rule when possible / while not putting yourself/others in dangerous pinches.
Don't go out of your way to be a dick. (Jesus, who is this behavior really for?)
Pick your battles.
Learn to take a joke (and learn to stick up for yourself)
NOT EVERYTHING IS A BIG DEAL. AND I'M SAYING THIS EQUALLY TO BOTH PARTIES.
And, finally: You simply can't please everyone. And if you try not to offend anyone, you will eventually (at the latest) offend a very large group / an individual you truly care about.
What is it, going to kill you to not say those offensive things you say on principal, alone? Shock-Comedy died in the 90's. And what about you, there, fighting the urge to tell us you're deeply offended at what you suddenly decided is a "social injustice"; Just going to fester and eat away at your kidneys, is it? Now I know it is a slippery slope. I also know that social media is an exacerbator (<-- think I made that up). I also know that me getting frustrated at all of this - ironically - will likely pop me into being one of the aforementioned fence-siders. *Sigh* I just think that a lot of what the non-censors consider "censorship" is what I would consider "having manners", "being polite" or "practicing self-control". Honestly, how hard is it to try for others here and there? I do it nearly every day.
As with most other things: I think the best any of us can do is try. Keep an open mind, accept what you choose to, duke it out over what's worth your dukes. Be genuine. Do research. Ask questions. Care. And for God's sake; practice balance.
...back to work.
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