David A Bednar once said, ~To be offended is a choice we made, it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.~ Without a doubt, it seems as if 2018 is considered to be more about being easily offended than anything else. For it's a befuddling situation indeed to even wrap one's own brain around in finding something minor in regards to a non issue and make it major to the point where it became an issue or major importance according to the individual or individuals in question. Thinking about it further, it could either be trolling for stirring the social media pot, so to speak, or the fact those so called social justice warriors want nothing better to do than get under you skin as it pertains to certain fast food toys, traditional holiday songs, Santa Clause, etc. that they've interpreted as completely offensive.
As I said before, for it's a befuddling situation indeed to even wrap one's own brain around in finding something minor in regards to a non issue and make it major to the point where it becomes an issue of major importance according to the individual or individuals in question. Case in point, there was a situation in May of 2017 where McDonalds came under fire for being gender specific when it comes to the toys that came in their happy meals, which was also brought up in early December of 2018. Sadly, it has even gone so far as a proposed House Resolution No. 49 into law by Detroit, Michigan Democratic Rep Leslie Smith aiming to stop fast-food chains from reinforcing gender stereotypes. Hey, with so many meaningful and important issues to focus on, the issue of the kind of toys that come in your kid's happy meal is just laughable.
If you think about it, there are so many songs over the years that have been absolutely controversial but what about the ones that are considered classics we've all heard and not to mention have sung. Of course, what I'm referring to is the holiday Christmas classic "Baby, It's Cold Outside" written in 1944 by Frank Loesser and used for the movie musical Neptune's Daughter. The controversy that is apparently offensive is that it supposedly promotes rape so much so it has gotten to the point where it's been banned on radio stations. Essentially, the song itself is from a different time where the act of flirting was completely different than it is today. True, she does get the controversy but in Susan Loesser's mind it's an afterthought as its a special reminder of the time her parents sang it together as a way to entertain guests at parties.
Let me ask you this question, would you ever in your wildest dreams think that the man known as Santa Clause who would be deemed controversial to where it easily offends someone or a bunch of people who simply want to watch the world burn rhetorically speaking. Unfortunately, what is so considerably controversial and offensive to someone out there is that Santa is white and that's pretty much it. Now, if that individual would have done their research Santa Claus is based on a real person who gave away all his inherited wealth giving gifts to the poor and sick. His name is traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas and it is believed that he was born around 280 A.D. in Patara, Turkey. Although, the skin color of Santa Claus/St. Nick doesn't matter, the essence/spirit of what he represents does no whether you believe in him or not.
In retrospect, 2018 has truly been an interesting year with also people being easily offended about certain holiday tv classic shows from our childhood. You see, such holiday classics many of us grew up with have been attacked like Frosty The Snowman for being reckless, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving has been labeled racist against the character Franklin, and not to mention promoting bullying in Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. Oftentimes, you just have to shake your head at the sheer stupidity and absurdity of what people are being offended at that it turns into an unneeded firestorm of controversy. In the end, 2018 is nearing its end ushering in 2019 will be upon us soon and no offense to those who are going to try to find something to be offended about this new year have some good old fashioned common sense to where if it bothers you just don't watch, read, or listen to it.
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