I always feel inadequate in responding to these kinds of post because I know there are others who are way more educated and well-versed in the art of persuasion and argument. But, eh- I'll take a stab.
I remember being that black kid wh everyone thought was too white; it really was said because I would naturally think then black (or really anything non-white..... 'sides asians. Everybody knows that they can kick high and bust a logarhythmic problem like whoa) means 'not smart' and since I can never be white then I must always comes from this place of pseudo-intelligence'. And honestly it did affect me around white peers because I'd wonder.. can I measure up? I remember being the only black kid in the GT program in middle school- the ONLY ONE. others soon joined the classes later, but seriously it was in my head at times. This reminds me of the mid-90's controversial book, 'The Bell Curve' and what it had to say about the test scores of minorities when compared to that of whites, even when those black students are reared in the same classrooms as white students. it's a real mindfuck to actually think that ecause of your race you might be somehow limited in thought when compared to others.
Terry, from the wording of your post, I kind of took the same response to other readers who thought that you were classifying all kinds of people who do not fit the mold of 'normal' or who are impaired (or different) in some way, as if we could do away with them. You already addressed that things are quite gray and I would expound on that fact that it is possible to be quite intelligent and yet hold onto very stupid and ignorant beliefs and opinions. Then the same thing could be said; what do we do with them? Some of the men and women who society proclaims as being stellar in the arts were also highly racist or classist, or unable to see outside of their own skin, therefore limited. Limited in a sense in a similar (wouln't say the same) manner as those whom they proclaim society is being 'dummed down for.' It's not that simple.
I do agree that there should be models of achievement that people should excel to and that they should not be disregarded in an effort to accomodate just about everyone without any other standards to replace them, infering that knowledge and skill are all relative. There is someone who is going to be on top and that cannot be ignored or denied and no, not everyone will be winners. Deal; losing builds character in ways that winning all the time does not.
Hmm, but isn't that it; trying to change the course of the outcome by installing some ideal that 'losing' can be just as good as winning? But in truth, can't it be? Eh, in the end I think such things like 'political correctness' comes from the outstanding idea that there are other ways of looking at things and other people outside of the mainstream; but to lose a sense of standards in order to view differences or other ways should not be the price for conscious awareness. Does that make sense or am I just ramibling? Just wanted to cut in and feel like a sayz sumthin' smurt 2day.
