And Speaking of Intolerance

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, unless you are on the University of Tennessee Knoxville campus, which is apparently skipping Christmas thanks to a post of suggestions from their Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Yes, the same office that recently proposed that the university change to gender neutral pronouns. Is it astounding that there is a group of people at a public university that believe that any mention of religion or culture that involves Christianity or anything that is remotely reflective of traditional American ideals is contrary to tolerance? No. For some reason the words Christian and American have become synonymous with intolerance, though I really don’t know why. Forgive me for saying this, and I am sure that some may find me intolerant, but I don’t see Christians or the average American flying planes into buildings or planning pointed attacks across major cities to injure as many civilians as possible. Sure, we have as many nut jobs as any other religion or country but there is a distinct difference in the average nut job and a terrorist. Terrorist are intolerant. It is the core of their belief system and I would shudder to see their response to the suggestion that they alter their religious celebrations in the name of diversity or tolerance.

But that is them and this is us. We are the people who are undulated with political correctness and tolerance. We are so politically correct that we excuse everything and everyone but those ideas and beliefs that were fundamental to the success of our Nation. Those who hold to those values, we take to task. And now, we who fund the University of Tennessee, a public university that receives our tax dollars, are told that our carols and trees and nativity scenes and even secret Santa are too intolerant for our university. Our tax dollars, now those are entirely acceptable thank you very much.

Here is what I say: pronouns are pronouns, girls are girls and boys are boys. Even those that decide to change genders are still one gender or the other, there really is no halfway otherwise why bother? So, why would anyone need a gender neutral pronoun? Identify with whoever you want and wear whatever you want, you are still either a boy or a girl. And beyond that, Christmas is Christmas. Hanukkah is Hanukkah and Kwanzaa is Kwanzaa. Celebrate one, two or all three if you want, that is diversity. “Suggesting” that the university should not celebrate religious holidays is, to me, the very definition of intolerance. Tolerance is not acceptance in the absence of differences but, rather, acceptance despite differences. Must we now hide who we are and what we believe to prove that what someone else believes is okay?

I am becoming increasing intolerant of those that rant and rage about tolerance. I am intolerant of their thinly veiled judgment and their subtle and sometimes not so subtle bullying in the name of political correctness and diversity. I am a mutt with heritage that is everything from Scottish to English to Chickasaw. That is what I am because that is where my people come from, it is my unique heritage and the very definition of diversity. I am Christian because that is my choice and belief. I am neither ignorant nor intolerant and I am tired of having to prove my political correctness and tolerance. So, Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Chancellor Cheek please do not be mistaken. We did not misconstrue the message, it came through loud and clear. And here is one more very clear message-of different races, cultures and religions, I am very tolerant. But of you, not so much.