Really? Political correctness has gone too far?

“margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;”>

“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; background-color: white;”>The

Jeremy Lin phenomenon continues, and what a ride it has been so

far. No one has gotten off to a start like Lin. No Asian, black,

white or any other nationality has put these numbers up, the world

is embracing it unlike anything we have seen in sports and he is

taking it all in stride. With the stride has come a step into

political correctness that has to be enforced.

In case you

have not heard, the two-headed monster of racism and failed comedy

has again resurfaced.

Over the

weekend ESPN fired a copy editor for its website for posting the

headline “Chink in the Armor” after the Knicks’ first loss with Lin

as a starter. Yep, he is done as dinner. Another broadcaster was

suspended for using the same term on the air.

It did not take

ESPN long to know that they had people who stepped in it, and they

acted swiftly. Another sensitivity training session for someone

gone awry. Here is the bigger issue. The rush to defense by other

media members who barely know the situation, yet try to defend

these actions by the individuals who have been

disciplined.

Even some local

talk show hosts stated that there was some overreacting to what

happened. As if it was all good, especially because it did not

effect their ethnic crew. That is the problem.

“You could tell

that they meant no malice in their statement,” one said. Another

went on to say, “Political correctness has gone too

far.”

Really? How can

you tell, so I can be on the lookout next time? Explain to me where

the politically correct line should be drawn so those who have been

disparaged should know how it works.

Better yet,

give me a break. The callous, disrespectful manner in which some

carry on with issues of this nature, with everything being for

comedic effect, is par for the course, as it never hits most sports

media close to home. Maybe it should.

No this is not

a black man overacting because one of his own has been made fun of.

It is again the same old story of some guys sitting in the newsroom

with nothing else to do but try and amuse each other when they are

not sizing up the females in the work environment, which leads to

the sexual harassment allegations that our industry has been known

to endure, from time to time.

Funny, he he,

ha ha!

While I

understand that this is a serious offense, all parties involved

have done the right thing. Lin has moved on, both individuals have

apologized, with one pointing out that his wife is

Asian.

Great, so where

should the line be drawn? What should the penalty be for being

politically incorrect? Firing a person is a serious offense. It is

a statement by an employer and a label by that individual who is

terminated that is at times hard to shake when it comes to finding

the next job.

So is there

middle ground? Yes.

Here is how it

should work. As part of orientation, a new employee should go

through a sensitivity training program that is as mandatory drug

testing. Skirting the issue would prevent that employee from being

hired. No if’s ands or buts.

If that

employee crosses the line then he is not fired for his remarks, he

is fired for stupidity and wasting the company’s time as they put

him or her through the program and they are too dumb to follow

direction. Adios.

If there is no

program in place that individual should get a month off and also

while they are off they should attend training to that effect. They

should also be required to go into a school and talk about their

experience and hopefully save a future moron from committing such

an asinine act.

The media

industry has to be better when it comes to this, as they are the

eyes and ears for the public. Yes, there should be a greater

accountability. As for stupidity, that is an age-old search for the

cure to that.

Really? Political correctness has gone too far?

Related

Leave a comment

Verify your email