PC Art

[Erthona]

They banned Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn, or life on the Mississippi" under the rubric of racism, when in actuality it is one of the earliest American literary pieces satirizing racism. Even though it shows clearly the stupidity in white racism in the form of Huck's father--he thinks he is superior to a well educated black doctor, simply because he is white--and many other examples throughout Huck's and Jim's journey. In fact it is one long commentary giving example after example ridiculing the many manifestations of racism. However it was pulled from high-school libraries because it contained the word "niger". A campaign was formed to get a radio talk show personality fired because he used the word "renege", and people thought it was a racial slur. It is inherent in humans nature for those with little genuine self-esteem to use race, gender, religion, or other differences to try and elevate themselves by denigrating others, it is an effective if crude way to strike out. At the level where it can affect someone's livelihood we should always be vigilant against racism informing decisions, however, to say that a country that has a black president is still racist is to deny reality. To go to the extreme and try to make an issue out of something that is a reach at best, and totally inaccurate at least is ludicrous, but beyond that it cheapens the real discussion about the realities and impact of actual, not perceived racism. Is racism, ignorance of a "cult practice" that leads to inaccurate images used in a crummy music video, or is it simply ignorance, and sophomoric attempts at art? There is a clear distinction between attitudes and beliefs one finds insulting, and when the same are held by someone is in a position of authority. I find Christians who want to impose their beliefs on me, and try to characterize me as bad because I don't go along with those beliefs insulting, but that is part of the public forum, not something that needs to be made an issue of. Being hypersensitive is not the fault of others, but is a fault within ourselves. Being afraid to call the Racialicious attack on the video racial hypersensitivity if genuine and pandering if not, because of the fear we will be labeled as racist, shows that the issue of racism has far exceeded practical or useful bounds. When we elevate group rights above those of the individual we have eradicated liberty.