Monday, May 21, 2018

Faux Outrage

I'm guest blogging over at Joanne's for awhile since she's roughing it in Barcelona and just published the following over there:
Is this really insensitive?

Or will some people look for any excuse to act aggrieved?
The principal of Cherry Hill High School East has apologized for “insensitive” language on tickets for the upcoming senior prom.

The tickets urged students to “party like it’s 1776” during the event at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

But that prompted complaints from students who noted “not all communities can celebrate what life was like in 1776,” Principal Dennis Perry said in a letter to the community Friday.

“I am writing to apologize for the hurt feelings this reference caused for members of our school family,” wrote Perry.

“I especially apologize to our African American students, who I have let down by not initially recognizing the inappropriateness of this wording,” he added.
Remember, the Founders were questioning slavery back in 1776.  One of the complaints against the King in the Declaration of Independence was that he encouraged the slave trade–a comment that was removed as part of a compromise to get all 13 colonies to sign.  (I know we don’t much believe in compromise in today’s political climate, but back then, and until rather recently, it was “a thing”.)

The issue of slavery was also addressed in Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution when it was drafted in 1787; again, a compromise said that the federal government wouldn’t do anything about slavery (what else could they do but abolish it?) until 1808.  After 1808, there were many laws limiting slavery–and even a war fought in the 1860s, the primary cause being slavery.

To argue that anyone, everyone, at any time prior to the 1950s/60s was racist and not to be admired?   Such a belief demonstrates a profound lack of historical knowledge, and does a disservice to all Americans who fought slavery, racism, and government-enforced segregation.
Personally, I think the complainers are just anti-American idiots.  But that's just one man's opinion.

2 comments:

Auntie Ann said...

The complainers have apparently never heard of "Hamilton".

Mike Thiac said...

Darren,

You may remember a (former) friend, Mike K, on Facebook who was typical radical leftist. He put up meme after meme and he "didn't author it, I'm independent...I do my own research..." and voted 100% for leftist Democrats.

Well last week I was in a discussion on his thread when he posted a meme praising Michelle Obama. One of his friends started a tear on how great Mrs. Bill Clinton was and how she was denied the presidency, etc. I simply asked "OK, what are some of Mrs. Clinton's accomplishments as Sec of State. George Schultz had START I. James Baker had START II, the Gulf War. What did Mrs Clinton do...." That's what Mike called a "personal attack" on his friend and he unfriended me (along with his cousin).

I guess Mike can't stand "intolerant" people.