We’re writing this article because of a story we just read about a new Kentucky High School that chose the “Stallion” to be their mascot. The name was chosen in part because of the horse racing history in the local area. Objections were raised on the grounds that the name is sexist and the school was told by county school officials they must change the name. A couple things hit us about this. First is how far up the “hyper” scale some people have ascended with their sensitivities. Second is how easily the accused (school officials in this case) caved in when presented with this drivel. It was a change.org petition signed by 200 people that got to them. Apparently a change.org petition is now so powerful it has the properties of a quantum singularity, capable of causing an entire school district to collapse in on itself. What has happened to us?
We don’t recall any phenomena like this even just 25 years ago. This is one of those developments that, if left unchecked, would progress to a completely illogical endpoint – we’d all be paralyzed because anything we said might be offensive to someone. We can think of several reasons why this may be happening:
- There has always been a fixed percentage of the population that is hyper-sensitive. It’s only in the last 25 years or so that technology (texting, Internet, email, etc.) has enabled these people to broadcast their concerns to a lot of people at once.
- There is something rewarding for those making the accusations of insensitivity, especially when their target quickly becomes submissive. That reward, whatever it is, is so compelling it perpetuates the behavior further.
- The targets of these accusations of insensitivity have a fear that any reprisal that might come from their resistance would irreparably harm their institution or business.
- #3 has occasionally proven to be true, but only because virtual “mobs” have quickly formed online or via petition, composed largely of other people with the same “hyper-sensitivity” syndrome. (e.g. the transgender bathroom issues leading to the NBA finals pulling out of North Carolina)
- The hyper-sensitive accusers are technically savvy enough to amplify the perception of their numbers far beyond what is actually the case. Unfortunately, many of their targets are naive enough to fall for the ruse, or unwilling to make the effort to defend their choices-thus taking the easy way out.
So what can be done? Should we just ignore it? One thing that has already occurred and will likely slow the advance of this behavior is the election of our new President. His own obvious disdain for political correctness can serve as a kind of top cover for those who have a similar disdain but have been reluctant to show it. Arguably, this has already started (We did notice a lot more people saying “Merry Christmas” this year instead of “Happy Holidays”). Many of the leaders Mr. Trump is nominating for key positions in government appear to be of the same ilk as himself in this regard, which should also help.
By itself however, a change in leadership in the country will not solve the problem, it’s too embedded in the way people think and react. Part of this is a genuine desire to do something good and helpful, and being politically correct seems to fill that void for some people, oddly enough. The problem is that political correctness is now being taken to an extreme that erases the helpfulness aspect and instead begets agitation. A little political correctness is OK, in that it can keep a social check and balance on public rudeness and genuine insensitivity.
We should be thoughtful in our wording and phrases, but once they are chosen, let’s show a little backbone when confronted by the inevitable protests of some who will not like them. We do not need to endlessly attenuate every spoken thought to avoid offense. In this example, a locally apt and meaningful mascot name was sacrificed on the altar of universal approval. If our ability to choose meaningful and powerful symbols such as “Stallion” is gelded, eloquent expression and dynamic language is doomed to a long, slow, plod to the slaughterhouse.