I thought we had moved past this old battle. An issue long fought over, and long ago resolved, seems to still haunt our culture in ways both understandable, yet often ridiculous.
I have never fully realized the public’s sensitivity towards issues of race, even after all this time.
The Office for Civil Rights in Seattle, Washington, has recently begun asking government workers to refrain from calling their bring-your-own-lunch meetings, “brown bag lunch meetings” as it may be offensive to some people.
My favorite columnist Jim Treacher, who I agree with, stated, “I was unfamiliar with this ‘brown bag’ practice, being a white person and therefore a racist.”
After reading this, I proceeded to do my research, and found out that there was an actual thing called a “brown bag test” that was used by many throughout the 20th century.
Apparently, it was traditionally used to judge skin color by certain African-American sororities and fraternities.
They would hang a brown bag on the door to their establishment, and an individual was darker than the brown bag, they would not be admitted.
So let me get this straight. There are some African Americans who are racist to other African Americans, and yet no one can say “brown bag.” That makes perfect sense.
To add to it, Seattle is also asking workers to refer to citizens as “residents,” as to not offend those who aren’t legal citizens living in Seattle.
I can’t help but laugh at this. While I understand that many illegal “residents” have jobs and are working hard, I don’t see how being called a citizen could be offensive in the least!
We are viewing those who live in this country illegally as legal citizens. Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t seem to find the insult there.
Are we going to have to change the name of combs or eyeglasses now, as to not offend those who are bald or blind?
Is this what the U.S. has come to? Must we call “foul” every time our feelings are hurt or someone says something that we don’t like?
Today, when people, such as myself, use the term “brown bag,” we aren’t using it as a racial slur, or to discriminate against others of a different skin color. People have apparently forgotten that perhaps we’re using it as a bag that we put food in.
I don’t understand our society today. Everything is a race issue, with civil right’s groups just waiting for any opportunity to throw out the “race card.” You can probably offend an inanimate object if you tried hard enough.
I personally think we have public leaders like Rev. Al Sharpton to thank for this, who are right in fighting for equality, but often drag the dirty politics into the mix as well.
As Americans, we need to drop the kindergarten antics and grow up for once. This country wasn’t created just to be split into different groups and point fingers at each other because of varying skin colors.
If that’s the case, let’s just get rid of the entire color spectrum all together, that way, there is no way that any human or even extraterrestrial could ever be offended.
