Embarassed by my hometown again.

I am originally from Cincinnati Ohio. I used to be really proud of that fact. If someone said something negative about my town I would spring to her defense. When I lived there, there was a lot to be proud of. The history, the great institutions, the arts and the sports teams to name a few of the things that made it a great place to live. Oh sure there were a few negatives, namely enough conservatism to to border on the ludicrous. I now reside in Dayton and even though it's only about 50 miles away, it is like a different planet. The first thing I noticed when I came to Dayton was the porn shops. Many of the main stream video stores had x rated movie sections. Now I haven't been back to Cincy for awhile, but I bet they still don't have naughty book stores.

Of course you'll remember the big dust ups over the Maplethorpe exhibition, The whole Larry Flynt fiasco and who could forget the King's bookstore debacle. I don't know about you, but I don't need the Hamilton County Sheriff's department advising me on my selection of viewing or reading materials. Just another example of the nanny state mentality. Just a pack of old farts that want to control me and you and decide what's best for us. No thanks.

Now we have a new situation. This time at least it's not in Cincinnati proper, but a suburb to the north. The Lakota High School drama department was about to put on the classic play "Ten Little Indians", based on the Agatha Christie story. Just about every drama club or class from junior high on up has done this play. Most people would consider it as a classic. That much I did know. What I did not know was that the original title used a pejorative used to denigrate African Americans *(technically African British Subjects I suppose).

Need less to say the P.C. people(I bet they were as ignorant of the original title as I was)demanded the cancellation of the performance. Some one called the school board and threatened a protest. That's all it took. I admit the world will not stop turning on it's axis if this play is not performed, but I do contend that we are all a little less free every time something like this happens. How do you justify this? The answer is: You can't! Do we have to give up our right of self expression just because it might offend somebody? If every thing that offended me were censored the Trinity Broadcasting Network would have been put out of its misery years ago. Now those guy are offensive! Those hairdos they sport definitely need to be censored. Have you seen that old broad with the pink hair and the big white dogs?

It's time for an official Emoose reality check: the play and the book have absolutely nothing to do with African Americans, Native Americans or any aboriginal peoples of any sort. True, the original title did contain the word n______, but I bet that every school library worth a damn has at least one copy of Huckleberry Finn. Check out a copy sometime if you have never read it. If you are too lazy to do so, I'll save you the effort: One of the main characters goes by the name *N_____ Jim. Should we ban Mark twain just in case we offend somebody? Should we censor Merchant of Venice because we might offend Jews?

Frankly people, we need to push the envelope. I think we need to be offended once and while, it helps us sort our priorities and set our own limits. How did we all get so damned thin skinned? A few years ago a public official giving a speech used the word niggardly. There was an immediately an outcry. There was an immediate demand for his ouster. A quick look in a Websters would have solved the dilemma. The word has nothing to do with black people(African Americans). (It just means stingy, look it up). Should we censor ourselves on the basis of who might "accidentally" offend because of some one's poor vocabulary

Part of the problem is that there is no equivalent for the n word that applies to white people. I think in the interest of equality we should invent or re-purpose a word and automatically accept it as racial epithet. You know, a word that gets uttered by someone just before the fists fly. If anyone reading these word has any suggestions please let me know. Until someone comes up with a better one I nominate "skunge". I don't think it's taken, but I like it. One syllable and you can really put a lot venom behind it, such as"you filthy skunge"! What do you think?I know all the other minorities have scarfed all the really good pejoratives, but we are a little late coming to the party. So any way if you really want to get on my good side please address me as an Irisharabenglishjewishcajun American.

In conclusion my skunge brothers:

Lakota High School board of Ed please please grow a pair and let those kids put on their play they've worked so hard on. And please let's all work together to put a halt to pussifacation of America!

Peace out, my skunge homies!


*Yes I too am a victim of political correctness and yes I mean the n word.