I think what the country needs is sort of mix between more Norman Rockwell and more Norman Lear. We need to stop being simpletons and live more simply. As the old Southern expression goes, "Stop being a titty baby."
I watched some "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" recently and I laughed at both. I didn't espouse the views of either lead character (Archie Bunker or George Jefferson); but, I could laugh at how ridiculous both were. It's brilliant stuff that would be considered too incendiary for new introduction nowadays. It wouldn't be allowed to exist. It would be silenced (censored) by those who don't like it; shut down.
It seems like we've regressed into a country that is intolerant and insolent. Don't get me wrong, we don't act like intolerant "adults" as much as we act like petulant "children" who spit out that which they find distasteful; who hold their breath and stomp their feet if they don't get their way. We have forgotten that the First Amendment is not in place to shut down that which we can't stomach; but, to allow it to co-exist.... even if an opposing view is vile. Comically, there are a lot of folks with "Co-exist" bumper stickers on their cars who want to silence completely those with whom they don't agree. You can't simultaneously push "diversity" and have no tolerance for those who espouse "divergent views" to which you don't subscribe; especially if those divergent views are actually held by the mainstream.
Look, here's how I see it: if you need to completely silence somebody because they don't share your views; you're probably part of the problem. If you need to erase / censor history because history hurts your feelings; I'd also suggest that you are part of the problem....and by "problem;" I'm talking about the problem that the First Amendment was created to fix. Censorship and tearing down of monuments are communistic ideals. When did they morph into the new norms for a democratic republic? Co-existing, rather than kowtowing to tyrannical forces, and learning from historical shortcomings are American ideals; it's why the Mayflower landed on our shores and it's why we declared independence from an oppressive monarchy.
The First Amendment reminds us that we're special as a country because we realize that none of us is really that special as an individual; we ALL have a voice that can't be silenced. The First Amendment does not give a damn about your feelings. It is agnostic toward feelings while allowing the free expression of faith-based beliefs. That being said, no person, or group of people, should deem themselves as holding the franchise on acceptable free speech or expression....just because they can cry louder, stomp their feet more, or spit out that which they find distasteful.
Once again, don't be a titty baby.....
