The ‘Word Police’ Get Momentum from Charleston tragedy

from The Gray Area:

There are several political touch points gaining momentum from the awful shooting in Charleston last week. The first was the use of the “n” word.

Oh, you don’t know which word that is? Really? Well the President does. And, he used it on a podcast under the protective shield of his 50% black lineage. He used it to make a false political point about how racist America really is.

Piers Morgan, the media talk show anchor, says anyone who uses the word should go to jail.

Don Lemon displays word and flag uncensored on CNN.

Does the word have an offensive legacy? Of course, it does.

Are there other words and images in the United States that offend people? Of course, there are. Just Google ‘non-religious images of Jesus’. Do we send people to jail for using them? No, they all get to hide behind the protective shield of free speech. And that is a good thing.

That is unless the Left is using the word or image for a political point. Then, free speech be damned. The Left will categorize and demonize its enemies with the word, have it expunged and take credit for leading the charge for their special interest group. You don’t believe me? That is what the three above references are about. What about the crushing reaction to Paula Deen’s admission that she used the word 20 years ago! But, if you need more, check out this article directly tying use of the ‘N’ word to the GOP.

But, lets take politics out of the debate for second. If the word is so bad, is criminalization really the answer? Of course not. Anytime you start eliminating speech, you are crossing a slippery slope. Its not the word, its a personal decision to use a word or phrase no matter how stupid, that we defend in this country. In America, you get to say what you want and deal with the consequences. If the consequences are being ostracized in your social circles, hurting your business, or embarrassing your family, so be it. If the consequences are politically motivated persecution, designed to further a political narrative, especially when the narrative is untrue, then this is where we must draw the line. Sadly, some expression has no consequences, like certain song lyrics.

It is for good reason that very few people like or use the ‘N’ word anymore. Those who do have the right to. Black and white. Though, messages are sent by what we ALL say and do. We would ALL be better off if no one used it. The word would then die a natural death.