Just What is Offensive?
2006

I recently read an introduction to a short, humorous story about ‘Injuns,’ and the author apologized for offending anyone. After closing the magazine, I thought about all the useless ways we trip over ourselves to not use words that are said to offend.

I’ve heard the word ‘Injun’ for most of my life and I’m not offended, probably because I was raised in the South and the Southern dialect murders many words. But no matter the pronunciation, when I hear the word, I picture a proud warrior on a bluff overlooking the plains below, one hand holding the reins to his horse, the other grasping a feathered lance, his long hair flying in the wind.

I am offended, however, by many other things.

I’m offended because children today have to worry about their safety in the public schools.

I’m offended by drug-pushers who infiltrate our lives and get our children and adults hooked so they no longer care about anything except the drug.

I’m offended because figures of authority have lost their power to discipline and parents and teachers today are ruled by what children think or want.

I’m offended by young people who have not been taught courtesy and respect for others, and I’m very offended by those who show no courtesy or respect to their elders.

I’m outraged that churches today, no matter the religion, are not held in esteem by the world and honored as a place of peace.

I was deeply offended by a neighboring city’s action in removing the nativity scene because a few said it offended them, and I was saddened by another city hall removing a cross from their logo
because another loudmouth said it was offensive.

I’m offended by people of other nations coming to our country and demanding citizen’s rights without earning them. And I feel betrayed by my government for catering to them in the hopes of attaining more votes.

I’m offended that because my generation was raised to not make noise, we’ve sat back and let the loudmouths take our society away.

I’m offended each time I go into once-proud neighborhoods and see the garbage in the streets and the graffiti on fences. I’m offended by having to flush toilets in public restrooms and department stores, left full by people who have no respect or consideration for others.

I’m incensed when I see the elderly struggling to open doors while younger people sail right past them.

I’m offended that most of our products are manufactured by foreign nations, and I’m exasperated when I call for service and I can’t understand what the person is saying. Why are we making those nations rich while our own people are hungry?

And, I’m saddened that on our new coins the time-honored phrase, 'In God We Trust' is missing.

If we’ve sat back and allowed the loudest among us to push God out of our schools, our public buildings, our currency, and our lives, we have no one but ourselves to blame when we can’t find him.