"It's now very common to hear people say, 'I'm rather offended by that.' As if that gives them certain rights. it's actually nothing more...than a whine. 'I find that offensive.' It has no meaning; it has no purpose; it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. 'I am offended by that.' Well, so fucking what." - Stephen Fry
As if I needed a reason to love Stephen Fry any more, I wish I could print this out and staple it to the foreheads of the vast number of people who seem to be offended by everything in the world these days.
I recently heard someone say that we are living in the 'Age of Offense', where everyone is offended by everything. It's true. Those participation medals that every child got, the message of 'you're special' and the generations who were raised without war, famine, poverty or any real hardship are now in the age group that is focused on by the media. These are the kids who were coddled, silver spoon-fed the notion that they and they alone were the most special and important flower in the world. Little Johnny never-suffer never had to grow with people not caring about what he wanted, how he felt and, god forbid, whether he was 'offended'.
All those years of buying 16 year olds cars, paying for their education, letting them live rent free, giving them whatever they wanted, have come to bite us all in the collective ass. We always wondered how these kids would grow up and enter the real world...the answer is that they are pricks. They were never taught the crucial life lesson that the world does not revolve around them and what they want and how they feel. This means that when someone does or says something that they don't like...they get their hackles up in 'offence' because it somehow doesn't cater to Little Johnny and his specific views. And we can't have that can we? No no! The world must get on its knees and kiss Little Johnny's butt forever, because that's what mommy did and mommy said he was special!
It seems that there is nothing in the world that these over privileged first world problemers won't get all up in arms over and scream 'offensive'. Every online post, every picture, every comment, it all seems to offend someone. Now, sometimes, it's valid to be offended by something, for example, everything Donald Trump has ever said is generally offensive to everyone. However...a cup. A CUP?! Are you kidding me?! Starbucks' holiday themed cup this year is red...plain red. When I saw it, I liked it; I thought it was sleek, simple and subtle. Somehow people are offended that there are no pictures of Jesus or Christmas on it. Really? I didn't realize Starbucks was a part of the Christian church. So they demand Christ for Christmas cups, but I bet they'd scream bloody murder if they were served a blue Hanukah cup or a brightly coloured Diwali cup. Because only their belief is valid...that's what mommy said. How about instead of crying over the colour of the cup, you shut up and be thankful that you're able to live in a country that allows you the lifestyle to afford an $8 latte,
The worst offenders are college students. They are old enough to think they're grown ups but still so young that they haven't left their bubble of life's cosy shelter. Just yesterday online, I saw a brief story of students who were offended by their professor correcting their spelling and grammar in their work....in a university. Uh....huh. That tuition money was well spent. College campuses used to be great gigs for touring comedians, but the majority of them won't go anywhere near college gigs anymore because the students have cried 'offensive' so many times that they feel the environment is too limiting and oppressive to speak at. So, you'll gladly show your tits on camera at Spring Break but you'll get offended when someone looks at you sexually. (By the way, if that offends you, please let me know, I'd hate to miss it).
Thousands of people are dying every day around the world from hunger, war, disease and disasters...but you're going to focus your attention on being offended by Caitlyn Jenner being called 'brave' for coming out as transgendered. We all know that the real tragedy there is that she didn't name her new TV show 'TransJenner'.
There are offensive things in the world, but pick your battles. Is whatever your crying about really important? Does it affect your life deeply? Then grow up and carry on with your life like a normal human being.
