Yeah, I Said it
Imagine how difficult it must be to speak before masses of people without ever offending anyone. Basically, I think it's impossible (if you speak regularly in front of large groups). No matter how conscientious and deliberate you are in what you say, there's always going to be a slip or someone will misinterpret your intention or maybe you'll said purposely because you really don't care if it insults.
We have recent examples of what it means to be politically correct (or incorrect) in its truest form with President Obama. He started off with a very good and engaging interview on NBC's Tonight Show With Jay Leno (March '09). Yet, before the interview ended, a fleeting thought that should have never been verbalized, left our President's lips. As they chit-chatted about his "spare" time, he attempted to pick fun at himself in terms of needing to improve his bowling skills. "I bowled a 129. It was like Special Olympics or something." Yikes! Yep. He said it. This was bad and he caught flak for it. Clearly he forgot he represents the entire country now and was not sitting in his own living room (where it probably would have be really funny to most of us) but on Jay Leno's couch in front of a major portion of TV viewing America!
So here's my question. Generally speaking, any reference to the Special Olympics implies what? Your game is less than perfect? Held to a different standard? Just, really bad? This is hard. The Special Olympics is an international organization created to help people with intellectual disabilities (i.e. retardation) build self-esteem, personal fulfillment and social skills. Why was what President Obama said so offensive? And then, what was the true intent of his statement?
I definitely think The Special Olympics participants and supporters deserved the apology that the White House offered up. But really think about how tremendously difficult it must be, to be in the media all the time with everyone hanging on your every word.
Think of some of your favorite media figures or celebrities, who, from time to time, has said something that sent reporters out on a field day or you even felt disappointed because you thought their statement was insensitive. How about yourself? Think of a time that you've said something that came across less than compassionate. I have done it, and recently... like in this week's Backstory. I'd Wear A Real Fur. That's right PETA. I said it! (That is, if I could afford one).
How do we reconcile actual words with intent to keep folks from being so offended?!
We have recent examples of what it means to be politically correct (or incorrect) in its truest form with President Obama. He started off with a very good and engaging interview on NBC's Tonight Show With Jay Leno (March '09). Yet, before the interview ended, a fleeting thought that should have never been verbalized, left our President's lips. As they chit-chatted about his "spare" time, he attempted to pick fun at himself in terms of needing to improve his bowling skills. "I bowled a 129. It was like Special Olympics or something." Yikes! Yep. He said it. This was bad and he caught flak for it. Clearly he forgot he represents the entire country now and was not sitting in his own living room (where it probably would have be really funny to most of us) but on Jay Leno's couch in front of a major portion of TV viewing America!
So here's my question. Generally speaking, any reference to the Special Olympics implies what? Your game is less than perfect? Held to a different standard? Just, really bad? This is hard. The Special Olympics is an international organization created to help people with intellectual disabilities (i.e. retardation) build self-esteem, personal fulfillment and social skills. Why was what President Obama said so offensive? And then, what was the true intent of his statement?
I definitely think The Special Olympics participants and supporters deserved the apology that the White House offered up. But really think about how tremendously difficult it must be, to be in the media all the time with everyone hanging on your every word.
Think of some of your favorite media figures or celebrities, who, from time to time, has said something that sent reporters out on a field day or you even felt disappointed because you thought their statement was insensitive. How about yourself? Think of a time that you've said something that came across less than compassionate. I have done it, and recently... like in this week's Backstory. I'd Wear A Real Fur. That's right PETA. I said it! (That is, if I could afford one).
How do we reconcile actual words with intent to keep folks from being so offended?!
