Jeff Jacoby of the Boston Globe thinks
we're dropping too many F-bombs in public, and I agree:
Maybe the rampant overuse of the F-word and other obscenities is
actually benign — as benign as women wearing pants or interracial
marriage, to mention a couple of once-inflexible taboos.
Then again, many people used to tell themselves that smoking was
benign. That no harm was done by leaving dog droppings where they fell.
That racial slurs were nothing to get worked up about. Are we quite sure
that the relentless potty-mouthing of American culture doesn't belong
in that category? A flood of profanity pollutes our public square. It's
time we gave some thought to cleaning it up.
I'm reminded of a quote by General Washington:
The general is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing (a vice heretofore little known in an American army) is growing into fashion; he hopes that the officers will by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it, and that both they and the men will reflect that we can have little hope of blessing of heaven on our arms if we continue to insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this, it is a vice so mean and low that every man of sense and character detests and despises it. (Quoted from the 1985-1986 Contrails, a book of knowledge given to freshman cadets at the Air Force Academy)
3 comments:
(pedantic mode on: you have the wrong word in the title -- it should be "Coarsening")
You are correct, my bad!
It used to be there was speech that was used in public that was mannerly and considerate. Walking down my hallway I heard the F-bomb used as every part of speech. It seems that in its desire to be open, our modern society has decided to throw out any vestiges of appropriate behavior and we end up with this. I hate walking to a mall or store and having my seven year old reading out obscenities on shirts worn by grown ups. It's offensive. And it's invasive. I have no desire to watch or listen to the current crop of "celebrities" who seem to think their use of offensive language enhances their coolness factor. This may be why people are dropping cable and seeking out broadcast networks that show entertainment that doesn't include veiled political messages or offensive rhetoric in the guise of hip conversation.
Post a Comment