Today I was harshly chastised and accused of being homophobic. Ouch! I must admit that, instead of being the adult in the room, it pissed me off. Here’s what happened.
I meet with friends today at a local coffee shop for fun. At least, usually it’s for fun. Today the conversation was about real estate. I started to share with the group about an experience I had while working in real estate and why it culminated in my exiting the profession.
Guys, I’m a writer. Writers often tend to elaborate on describing the people they meet, particularly people that impress them. As it turns out, that proved to be a hazard in today’s political correct environment.
Instead of saying, “My client was a person,” I said, “My client was an effeminate gay guy.” Before I could finish my story about how amazing he was, one of the gals came unglued at my totally political incorrect way of describing him. She launched an attack with all canons blazing. Suddenly I was a horrible person and a homophobe.
Usually I try to be the adult in the room, but today I was so taken aback by my friend’s behavior that I reacted in not so nice a way. Usually time tends to cool my heels about something like this, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized how out of hand political correctness has become.
Here’s my take on political correctness:
If I say, “I met a guy” instead of “I met a person” that would make me a sexist.
If I say, “I met a black guy” that would make me both sexist and racist.
If I say, “I met a gay black guy” that would make me a sexist, racist, and homophobe.
If I say, “I met a gay black guy with a bad back” that would make me a sexist, racist, homophobe having issues with disabled people.
Accurately describing someone you meet may make you politically incorrect, but a hell of a lot more interesting. When you simply say, ‘I met a person.’ Who cares?
As for me, I’m going to continue being politically incorrect. And, I’m not going to judge you for being the same. So, go ahead and call me names if you must. Go ahead and hate me if you must. That’s your prerogative.
To my friend I say, fire away girl. You won’t catch me with my pants down again. I’ll be ready to be the adult in the room.
Unfortunately, today I was unable to finish my story about just what an amazing and talented guy my gay client was. Maybe next time.
