Offending the Offenders and Vice Versa

Okay I was reading some things on Your Fave Is Problematic which is the first I've ever heard of them and probably won't be reading anything else from them (no offense to them, it’s just not my cup of tea), but it got me thinking on some things.

First, was my thought that some of the examples they gave I didn't find offensive at all. Now maybe this is because I don't fall into the category they seem to focus on which is the LGBTQ+ community, however, I like to think that since I'm so supportive of the community I would know what is offensive to them.

This brings me to my next thought. Some people just overreact. I mean that in the nicest way possible, but seriously? Come on, your acting like you can't take any form of hurt or criticism.

I agree that if you're offended by someone then you have the right to call the person out on it and then the person should apologize accordingly. But, you can't apologize for everything. It's just impossible. Plus, people aren't perfect.

My Debate on Capital Punishment class had a discussion in class yesterday (8/29/13) forming around human error. We had to write a small paragraph about it and this is what I wrote:

“Because people are human, there will always be errors. The problem with this natural tendency that occurs with people is the fact that those mistakes can be, literally, deadly. The errors that humans can’t control and can’t help but do, sometimes sends innocent people to death. When this happens, not only does someone get wrongly punished but the real offender gets away.”

 *Words that I want to point out/think are important are underlined.

All the statements I underlined in my small paragraph are important to this article that I am typing. “Always be errors, natural, tendency, humans can’t control, can’t help but do”, are all the important statements because it shows that humans are not perfect and that there will always be human error whether it is verbal or not.

I know that the paragraph deals with the death penalty but I can also apply it here. Because people are human, there will always be errors (like I said before). That includes in what we say and talk about. Hell, even people in the LGBTQ+ community insult each other. It's human nature that we can't escape from. You're always going to end up insulting someone just like you will always end up offended by someone. There's no avoiding it.

If you were to try and avoid it, then you might as well be mute (sorry, did I offend someone? If I did I'm truly sorry. *that’s not to be taken sarcastically either*) because either way you’re going to offend someone.

Me: I like blue.

Person: I hate blue and it offends me that you do.

Me: I’m sorry. I also like cats.

Person: Hate cats, way to offend me.

Me: I’m sorry again. What about macaroni salad?

Person: Jeez, that stuff is disgusting. You offend me by liking it.

Me: . . . (meanwhile the person just offended me by saying they hate the things I like)

That's my point with you can't avoid it. Just don't talk if you don't want to say something that will hurt someone.

I have one more example. Because I'm a Christian, I'm always, always offended when someone uses God's name in vain. Whether that's saying (and I feel awful just typing it) God, (continue sentence), god damn it, godforsaken, etc., I'm offended. Now, it's part of society that people say that. Do I feel offended every time I hear it out in public and on TV? Yes. Do I go around complaining about it and calling everyone I encounter out on it? No. Do I expect them to apologize for saying it? Hell no. I'm not stupid enough to think that (oops I might have offended someone by calling myself stupid. Sorry.) I go around everyday hearing people speak and say God's name in vain and you know what I do? I suck it up (and that's not saying others that are offended should just "suck it up". I'm just using the term for myself because that's what I chant over and over in my head whenever my depression gets the best of me). I ignore it and don't overreact. In fact, I have told my best friend who I consider a sister about me and not liking it, and though she tries not to say God's name in vain, she slips up sometimes because she's HUMAN. Sometimes she apologizes for the slip up and sometimes she doesn't because she doesn't realize her mistake. Do I call her out on it? No, I don't, because I know she's human and she's not perfect. I love her anyways.

So in the end, what I'm getting at here is that, you can't avoid it. We're all human, we all make mistakes, we all slip up and sometimes we don't realize it. If what was said really hurts you to the point where you really can't get over it, then call the person out on it. But just because a person says one bad thing, doesn't mean you have to call them out every time and expect an apology. People aren't perfect, the world isn't perfect, and I think it's about time we stop trying to make it this perfect place by having everyone dance around what they say when you’re not perfect to begin with.

Life is too short to dwell on these things. Live life the way you want to live and fuck everyone else.

**I’m sure I offended at least one person out there with this entry.