AAC


SEEMS TO ME ... Seize the Day


As adults and public servants we should be able to talk plainly and be understood.


“Te time has come,” the walrus said, “to talk of many things: of shoes and ships and seal- ing wax, of cabbages and kings — and why the sea is boiling hot and whether pigs have wings.”


by none other than Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Lewis Carroll was known for his facility of word play, logic and fantasy. Tis article may seem just as discombobulated as the poem, but I trust I can make my point. While I generally have disdain to- ward “politically correct” terms, I’m going to embrace one term before I depart this keyboard albeit in an unorthodox way. But not before deriding the over use of political correctness — at least by some. Te term “politically correct” entered the general vernacular of the American populous 30 to 35 years ago. However, the first known use of the term goes all the way back to 1934. Over the years it has taken on increasingly more meaning and intensity. Politically correct was introduced so as to not offend anyone in a multicultural society, and we have simply taken it to the extremes for no good reason. For fear of offending someone, it has become almost impossible to say what we re- ally want to say or what we’re thinking — at least in terms that most of us would understand. When we have to ask ourselves, “What did he or she actually say or mean ... that’s usually when being “politically correct” has gone too far. You suddenly realize we have taken this “politeness” too far when authors start writing books actually making fun or sati- rizing the overdone practice. James Finn Garner has actually written Politically Correct Bedtime Stories. In this redo of 14 timeless fairy tales, James reworked them to become relevant fables for more modern times. Tese hilarious adaptations satirize and sanitize the sexist, racist, nationalist, and ageist biases of classic bedtime stories. Familiar exploits of beloved characters are related from a respectful, prejudice-free perspec- tive: the Emperor is no longer naked in his new clothes but “is endorsing a clothing-optional lifestyle.” Snow White es- capes to the cottage of “seven vertically-challenged men.” And Goldilocks is “an ambitious scientist studying anthropomor- phic bears.” Garner has taken time-tested tales and retold them with the


T


“newfound sensitivity of our times.” Here is a snippet from Little Red Riding Hood.


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hese lines were written almost 150 years ago by Lewis Carroll in Trough the Looking Glass. Well, it was actually a narrative poem within that book called Te Walrus and the Carpenter and recited


In the scene where the wolf grabs Little Red Riding Hood and the woodchop- per bursts into the cottage the story goes like this: “Hands off!” cried the wood- chopper. “And what do you think you’re doing?” cried Little Red Riding Hood. “If I let you help me now, I would be expressing a lack of confidence in my own abilities, which would lead to poor self-esteem and lower achievement scores on my college entrance exam.”


Eddie A. Jones County Consultant


I know these examples are extreme and even meant to be


funny, but give me a break. Why can’t we say what we need to say to convey our message? It saves a lot of time and is much easier to understand. Te arena of politics is probably the worst when it comes to the overuse of political correctness. If there is any arena where we should be plain and forthright it is in the arena of government and politics, where everyone is affected in one way or another. And there should be no doubt about what was said or done.


Tat, of course, does not mean that we should be mean, combative, cantankerous, radical, or inconsiderate of others feelings but simply that we should be plain and simple in the explanation of our positions. Tat is the position we should take as a public servant: a county elected official or employee; a state representative or senator; a state constitutional officer; or a congressman. Don’t try to hide what you are actually saying in some convoluted “politically correct” jargon. Of course, we also have those today who “call” themselves


“public servants” that have absolutely no civility about them. Tey do not think about nor are they concerned about some- one else’s opinion or position on an issue, let alone think about being politically correct. Tat is wrong — dead wrong. Our political discourse should always be civil. Between being uncivil and uncaring and being so politically


correct that no one understands what you’re trying to say, it’s no wonder nothing gets done. Te definition of a “euphemism” boils down to not caring enough to use the very best word. I believe the best example and worst fad in euphemisms is “politically correct” language. Stay away from it. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Just be cognizant of people’s feelings. Most anything can be said plainly but with tact. I have several friends in the public service sector whom I constantly remind that even if they are correct they should not approach the situation in a way to make the other person


COUNTY LINES, FALL 2018


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