Dear Crabby, How Do We Offend Everyone Without Trying?

Dear Crabby,

Every year, my neighbor decorates his yard with every symbol of the season – Kwanzaa candle holders, Santa Claus, a Nativity, a menorah, and even the Grinch! I understand he’s trying to be politically correct and not offend any one particular religion, but in doing so, I think he offends multiple religions, and insults mankind that we cannot respect each other’s differences and allow others the right of freedom of expression within safe limits. What are your thoughts?

Bah Humbug, Anne Oyd

Dear Anne Oyd,

This whole politically correct business has really gotten out of hand in my mind. I grew up in a Catholic household and many of my friends were Jewish. We all got along just fine. I didn’t eat meat on some Fridays, so they gladly took my hamburgers. They all went to their synagogues on Saturday and missed the college football games, so I filled them in. They used more candles during their holiday and I had more yuletide carols being sung by a choir! Not one of them were ever offended by the Nativity Scene my mother had in our house. And I never thought twice about the menorah in their house. Somehow, we all found a way to mind our own business and live in peace and harmony back then. Today, in an effort to not offend, some people have a yard full of various symbols that greatly offends most people! Why would anyone want to see the Grinch holding Baby Jesus? Or a menorah on Santa’s Sleigh? People need to wake up and smell the logic. If you are Catholic, then be a Catholic! If you are Jewish, then honor your roots. If you don’t have a clue what you are, then stop pretending to be all things to all people. If you have a backbone to stand for something, then I think people should respect your right to display that stand. I do not read anywhere in the Constitution where they dictate what is on my yard or what is displayed in my house. As long as we are not violating other’s rights, then we have the right to our own decorations. I can see how people might object to religious symbols on public property – I do not agree, but I understand. But when it comes to your yard or your living room, I think plenty of people died to give you the right to your own opinion. If someone has a football team logo on their hat, or a college name on their shirt, no one gets truly offended. But if they showed up at a rivalry game with one of the team’s logos on their hat and the other on their shirt and tried to toe the line and make everyone happy, it would be clear that neither side would appreciate that. Be willing to stand for something and choose which side you are on! That’s my opinion; I hope it helps.

Sincerely, Dear Crabby

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Stuck in a rut? Need some biased advice from a crabby old baby-boomer? Read regularly by thousands and loved by some, Dear Crabby answers questions weekly to life's challenges. Send him a note at editor@rochestermedia.com.

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