In our society, xenophobia is most often expressed through our discrimination and distrust of those in groups other than the group with which we identify. Different ethnic backgrounds, different sexes, different religions, different educations are all means used to identify, group, and distrust, if not out-right discriminate.
During the Civil Rights movement, realization dawned that combating discrimination was more than just passing laws: It was also completely removing from our minds discriminatory attitudes. Our speech often reveals our underlying attitude, and pointing out discriminatory speech as an aid to recognizing hidden attitudes became acceptable. Ethnic jokes and put-downs revealed our inner thinking, and we became intolerant. Sexism and Racism entered our vocabulary, as did PC, or Political Correctness.
PC bites us all sometimes. That old family joke about that other ethnicity? No longer repeatable. Poking fun at someone dressed differently? No.
The aim is tolerance. Acceptance of the others that make up our varied society. Ultimately, inclusion – allowing every individual the same rights, responsibilities and freedoms that we would give ourselves and those in 'our' group.
There have been those who chafe under the new rules. They want to maintain the status quo. We often see this in their standing in the way of laws that prohibit discrimination. “Women shouldn't have the right to vote”. “Business should be able to choose those who aren't tattooed, pierced, or require modes of dress, etc.”
This defense of the status quo, this backlash against what they see as overreach into our individual attitudes as become identified with the Conservative movement. “Those darn liberals,” they cry, “taking away our ability to force people to look and talk and behave like us!”
So it was with great surprise last week that one of the most un-PC of the conservatives, one who has reveled in her very lack of correctness, should call someone out for uttering a discriminatory put-down. When Sarah Palin called out Rahm Emmanual for his transgression, she gave tacit approval to the idea that what we say reveals what we think – and that we should attack our discriminatory attitudes where they live.
But do you think the concept of reciprocity will enter her thinking? Do you think that she will realize that by extension, that discriminating against any other group is unacceptable? Will she, and other like-minded conservatives, realize that we still have far to go to admit all other groups into society as equal members?
Gays may soon be able to openly serve in our military. When will we give them the right to marry? Come on, Sarah. You've said the words against discrimination: Can you live up to their promise, and start supporting equality for all?
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