For a while now, our language has been getting soft, thanks in part to whining special interest groups. I’m sure that is a thought that is making even Lenny Bruce sick wherever he’s performing in Heaven these days. Here’s an example: I recall sitting in my bedroom some time ago, hearing a radio commercial for a home medical device that would help people from “expiring.” Right. Electronics are going to keep the Grim Reaper away. Then my mind flashed back to the term “expired,” and, yes, I did remember every stand up comedy bit I’ve heard goofing on a term like that.
This is what political correctness has become. Not even the “expired” are safe from it.
It’s disconcerting when being p.c. prevents single guys from asking women out because that cloud of sexual harassment is ever present. It’s even worse when children are affected.
I’m not one of those bleeding hearts who think everything should be done for the children, but I have a point to make here. In some schools across this country, children are being told what they can and can’t be for Halloween. They are told they can’t dress like an angel because someone may get offended. They are being told they can’t be a demon because some might get offended. They aren’t allowed to be a homeless person because someone may use the term “bum,” and that is insensitive to the homeless.
Halloween was originally a pagan holiday. If we don’t honor Halloween in the pagan tradition are we being insensitive to pagans.
Come on! Loosen up. How can we honestly sit on our hands while children are being robbed of their childhoods? Regardless of our differences, we, as adults, have certain things that bring us together, things we value from our childhoods, things like long, dreamy, summer afternoons, or those slanting rays of afternoon sunlight on some autumn afternoon when time didn’t seem to exist. If we all lost every material possession we had, our treasured memories would always be with us. This is not just because it is a memory, but because it is a component of our very hearts and souls.
What we are doing with Halloween is stealing an intangible possession from children. Though they may grow up to be rich and famous, we are, in effect, making them paupers of spirit.
Remember, this Halloween, if an angel, demon, or bum comes to your door, you may be helping a spirit grow rich. However, should you meet up with a vampire, real or otherwise, try not to make any jokes about stake dinners. We don’t want to be insensitive now, do we?