By: Jana Greene

This seems to be a pretty unforgiving generation, y’all. I didn’t write this post to jump down the throats of Millennials – some of them are my very favorite people, including my daughters. They are amazing human beings. I don’t want to lump ALL people of a certain generation together, and honestly anyone can find themselves “woke,” and that’s a GOOD thing! I myself have woken up to a ton of considerations I never thought I would. “Woke” should have positive connotations!

But out culture today seems to believe that if a person makes a mistake in life, they deserve to be tarred and feathered in a skinny minute. If you use your “wokeness” to feel superior to others, it kind of loses it’s shine.

Without any grace for others, their own glass houses cannot stand. And without allowing people to be human, they are ascribing a standard that they themselves cannot possibly always reach.

For instance, It’s OK to bitch about the Boomers and Gen X’ers, but you best be tolerant about every other possible demographic.

It’s true that people should WANT to better themselves and strive to do so. But a lot of people don’t and never will. These people cannot be forced, legislated, or shamed into doing the right thing. So when you return hate for hate, you are simply….hating. It’s not “special” hate or “justified” hate. It’s just your garden variety manifestation of anger.

In this age of social media, there are witch hunts abounding, pitchforks raised and torches ablaze. True, a lot of people shoot themselves in the foot with what they post. And let’s just get this out of the way:

YES. NAZIS ARE TERRIBLE. THE HOLOCAUST WAS AN ABOMINATION. WE SHOULD NEVER, EVER FORGET. RACISTS SUCK, AND WOMEN ARE EQUAL TO MEN, AND NOBODY SHOULD BE OSTRACIZED FOR THEIR SEXUALITY. I HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT.

But not everything you disagree with is a HOLOCAUST or neo-nazi-level offense. And some of ya’ll actin’ like all offenses are the SAME.

The famous comedian who was flirtatious with women (*GASP*)) in his younger years is NOT equal to the skinhead who reads Mein Kamph in his leisure time and believes in killing people of a different race or culture. But you’d think it was, such is the backlash against him.

Maybe it’s just that I’m cantankerous today, but is flirting actually harassment if it is “unwelcome” but perfectly fine if it’s reciprocated? I’d really like to know.

I’m not talking about actual harassment (or God forbid, assault!) which should NEVER be acceptable. I’m talking about the hyper vigilant nit-picking we do to one another and the swift retribution with which someone’s character can be assassinated without so much as a single fact, and without a single ounce of grace.

I’m talking about villainizing your elderly aunt because she hugged your child at Christmas without her “consent.” (“How COULD you? That’s HER body!”)

I’m talking about the celebrity who says something mildly out of hand that gets blown into epic proportions and everything he ever said about anything goes viral and “he will never work in this town again!”

I’m talking about being thrown out of someone’s life because you forgot to use the right pronoun and consider themselves non-binary. (This actually happens, and it’s the reason “special snowflake” has become a misnomer.) If your anger level over accidentally being referred to as “she” sends you into warp speed offense and fury, check yourself before you wreck yourself (and your friends and family who love you.)

It’s almost like we have an upcoming generation policing the world. Policing the famous and the infamous. Policing me. Policing you. Policing, policing, and not a single one of us has all our shit together.

For a demographic that talks about the Salem Witch Trials with aghast glee and solemn scorn, they sure so burn a lot of “witches.”

And “witches,” however you define one, have the unalienable right to be just that. This is ‘Murica, where you can say pretty much whatever you want. And it SHOULD be that way, no matter how much of a dummy someone is. All this trying to control what other people say and do is wasted energy and a little disturbing. If you want to be a jerk in this country, knock yourself out. But if you insist everyone think like you, I find that far more chilling than the actual garbage people spew from their mouths and type with their fingers.

Here’s the thing about offense: IT IS NOT EVERYONE ELSE’S RESPONSIBILITY to protect you from your own delicate sensibilities.

Like, I promise it’s not.

It’s not in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, or even in your you HOA guidelines!

Jerks are kind of a self-regulating thing. People who are assholes pretty much get bit the ass by Karma without you even having to raise a finger! It’s true. They don’t need your banishment.

You can only live your best life and be kind to ALL. Yes, I said to ALL. Because people mess up and are always, ALWAYS redeemable, and it’s not your job to tie them to the stake. I’m an old fart-tress and have been around the block. Trust me on this.

Why people be power-trippin’ over how deep in the mud they can drag another human being? Trust me, youths of the world: If you haven’t committed what society (which is always changing) considers a cardinal sin – honey, you will. And I hope greater grace is shown you.

And yes, I called you “honey” with absolutely zero malice and a hint of affection. But not harassment. Nosiree, definitely not that.

In closing, I’d like to remind everyone to do unto others as you would have done unto you. Too biblical for you, and ergo, offensive?

How about we read the words of Dr. Martin Luther King:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

* Footnote: You are probably doing something right now that your children and the generations beyond will find completely unacceptable. Crazy, right? But true.