Ali Schmitz
\nIn Motion Staff Writer<\/p>\n
It was an innocent gesture by Hallmark that caused a controversy. In an attempt to be friendly to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, a Christmas ornament was sold that said \u201cDon we now our FUN apparel,\u201d in an attempt to not use the word gay. It backfired. Multiple people spoke out against Hallmark saying that refusing to use the word gay is homophobic.<\/p>\n
Scandals are prevalent over the world after failed attempts of being politically correct. With various news stories over the past few years over \u2018offensive\u2019 comments, America has to stop and wonder \u2013 Are we becoming too politically correct?<\/p>\n
Another recent story that received quite a bit of air-time is Maria Kang, a mom with two children, who posed for a motivational poster. In the poster Kang posed with her three young children while wearing skin-bearing sportswear. Her body was fit and tone. Many would never guess that she had children. On top of the picture, the phrase \u201cWhat\u2019s your excuse?\u201d is emblazoned. The photo was meant to encourage mothers to pursue a healthy diet and exercise after giving birth.<\/p>\n
While Kang received quite a bit of praise for her actions, one person got ahold of the picture and shared it with a caption claiming that Kang was \u201cfat-shaming\u201d other moms. Some called her picture too risqu\u00e9, making attacks against her personal character. Some said she was a terrible mother for bullying others. A journalist got ahold of the story and soon every major media company began to air the picture to a national audience.<\/p>\n
Kang issued a non-apology letter, explaining that her words weren\u2019t supposed to be an insult to any of the women who were offended by her photo. The photo continues to make the rounds with repeated shares on Facebook profiles with captions like \u201cMean mom,\u201d and \u201cWhat a trashy human being.\u201d Despite her statement, Kang\u2019s reputation may be permanently ruined due to her photo.<\/p>\n
Last year, an unfunny letter from a University of Maryland sorority president to her sisters was shared to Gawker, a news website. Rebecca Martinson, president of the sorority Delta Gamma, criticized her sisters\u2019 inability to attract fraternity members to the sorority. In this letter, multiple profanities were used and she referred to her friends as retards. A boyfriend of one of the sisters sent it to Gawker.<\/p>\n
Gawker refered to her as \u201cderanged\u201d and UM got ahold of the letter. Martinson was nearly expelled with only a few credits shy of graduating and lost her position as a sister in Delta Gamma. Critics expected that she would have difficulty finding a job after such a scandal. Multiple fraternity websites vied for her attention, with the men\u2019s humor site BroBible eventually giving her the opportunity to write a dating column. She\u2019s also shopping for a book deal.<\/p>\n
Why did someone who intentionally hurt others receive praise while misguided attempts cause so many struggles? As a society, humans should be punishing those who intentionally cause problems as opposed to those who make mistakes. How are we crucifying those who stumble while trying to be kind? Changes need to be made or else there will be no way for us to progress as human beings.<\/p>\n
A musical in 2004, Avenue Q, phrased this in the best possible way \u201cIf everyone stopped being so politically correct maybe we could live in harmony.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ali Schmitz In Motion Staff Writer It was an innocent gesture by Hallmark that caused a controversy. In an attempt to be friendly to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, a Christmas ornament was sold that said \u201cDon we now our FUN apparel,\u201d in an attempt to not use Continue reading It\u2019s easy to be politically incorrect<\/span>