Offending Everyone

For John, BLUF:  I wonder what the people in Carlisle think about the Acre?  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Some U.S. towns get called ‘sh*tholes,’ too. It’s not racist.

From The Wash Post and occasional contributor Mr Gary Abernathy, 15 January 2018.  Mr Abernathy lives in Hillsboro, Ohio.

Here is the lede plus two:

HILLSBORO, Ohio — If I had realized, over the years, that when people referred to places I have lived as “sh*tholes” they were being not only rude but racist, I could have been even more offended.

Indeed, that particular description has been used so often to refer to parts of southern Ohio and most of West Virginia that residents practically wear it as a badge of honor.  Many West Virginians take particular delight in the fact that their state has a northern panhandle that serves as a symbolic middle finger to the rest of the nation.  This unique shape suffices as their standing response to the insults that regularly come their way.

But thanks to media coverage of President Trump’s alleged use of the word, they will from now on be aware that being called a “shithole” place to live is a racist insult, which will be a little confusing to the overwhelmingly white population.  No matter, because Trump’s haters never lack the ingenuity necessary to define his every utterance as a racist rant.

But, here is a line from the story that we should all keep in mind:

In 2006, Mormon elder and author David Bednar said, “To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.”

Too right.

Hat tip to my buddy Steve.

Regards  —  Cliff