The Chief. To some he is a time-honored symbol of this University. To others he is the epitome of racial inequality and an evil that must be abolished. Then there is another group of people on this campus – they have no opinion on the Chief because they do not want to offend anyone. They are the uber-politically correct here on campus, and I want to smite this group from the face of the Earth.ÿ

When did everyone in the country, and especially on this campus, become so annoyingly PC that the mere possibility of offending someone is enough for these Nazi’s to scream “You can’t say that!” at the top of their self-righteous unoffending lungs? Users of words such as “retarded,” “gay,” “queer,” “handicapped,” and “idiotic” are frequently harassed, even though these are words that are in common usage in this country. This doesn’t take into account the one word in the land that can cause an instant uproar. It’s a word that, as a white guy – oops, sorry, Caucasian male of European decent – could get beat within an inch of his life if he used it. This word is deemed so offensive that I can’t even put the first letter of it and just use stars as fillers. I’m talking about the “N word.” But no one, of any race, creed, religion, or sex has been able to answer this question for me.

Why is it considered the holiest of holies of disparagement if a non-black (or is it African-American?) says it, but it’s perfectly fine for that group of people to say it? The overwhelming majority of the American people think that it’s wrong to use, including prominent members of this community, such as Bill Cosby. Yet the word seems to be picking up steam in sections of the American population. I would love nothing more than for it go the way of the Dodo bird and never be heard again. But when I question why it is acceptable for people with certain skin pigmentation to use it and not others I am “racially insensitive.” Wrong. I’m choosing to point out a double standard in society that some aren’t willing to talk about. ÿ

Just like when I say someone has an idea that is dumb – wait, I can’t use that word because it might offend the mute – I mean stupid – wait, can’t use that either because it might offend the unintelligent – I mean idiotic – wait, that might perturb the mentally handicapped – err, mental disabled. OK, the idea is retarded – darn it, can’t use that for the same reasons. Gay? Nope, might offend the alternate lifestyle community, and it’s the same thing with queer. Is anyone else starting to see how (insert your own demeaning phrase here) this is? It’s enough to make my head spin.

So on behalf of the people on campus that are not part of the PC mafia I have a request. For those who make it their life’s mission to be the PC police: get thicker skin. Every word that I mentioned above is a word that is in common American vernacular.ÿ

I support standing up and saying something when someone uses words that have the singular purpose of being cruel and demeaning toward other people. I have no tolerance for such language either. But I have even less tolerance for people who feel it’s their life’s work to throw their version of decency in my face. Lighten up. Demonstrate the supposed tolerance you are seeking by politely asking me to watch what I say when I am around you. Don’t tell me that I’m offending the world if I call something gay. I’m offending you.

Even worse, by attempting to be my mother or father, all you champions of PC behavior are defeating your own purpose of being politically correct. You’re offending me and the rest of the people who disagree with you. So please, shut up already.

Tom Amenta is a sophomore in LAS. He has been described around the newsroom as being jovial. His column runs Mondays. He can be reached at [email protected]