Young vs. Old

            The short article, “That’s Racist” written by Neda Ulaby's, discusses a topic that is viewed in many different ways, especially in certain generations. Ulaby’s article brings up that matter that in today’s world the term “that’s racist” is being used more for joke punch lines than in series context. But it is used in a more relaxed setting for the younger generations. While, older generations do not take it too lightly when those two words are brought up in a conversation. This truly shows how much this term has effected both of these generations and has a created a gap in understanding what this term means. But beneath all of the mixed emotions, I see the term being used in a more casual setting and not being too overly sensitive about its meaning.

           

            I believe I see it in a more casual way because I am part of the younger generation. I have grown up with that term being put in comedy shows and people laughing at the meaning of it. I do believe that in one time it was a strong word and if said to someone there was a real hate behind it. But my generation is being exposed to everyone having the same rights no matter what color, age or gender you are. So saying that’s racist to someone does not refer to specifically to whites and blacks, but to anything that can easily put into a joke.  I don’t think the term should lose its whole meaning of what it means because those two words were created together for a reason; and we shouldn’t forget about why it came about.

            Another example I think relates with this article is the way Hitler is presented among the world now. During his time many feared him and no one spoke over him. But, what I have seen from my time, Hitler’s mustache and the reference of his name are being put into a more comedic setting. He is also presented in some online games, too. But I don’t think he is taken as lightly as “that’s racist,” quite yet. But a word that I know have a similar meaning to “that’s racist” but are viewed with ease now is the N word. This word is heavily used in songs today and used in day-to-day conversation amount young teens.

            Overall, there will always be mixed reviews about this term for quite a while. I don’t think that people will “get over it.” They wont get over the fact that, yes, at one point this term once had a strong meaning behind it, but now it’s whatever. I do believe though, that people won’t forget the meaning of the words and why it came to be. Because those two small words hold a lot in the past and that’s why I can understand why older generations to not take this term lightly. But without comedy making “that’s racist” into a punch line, then I believe that our society would never move on from that point in time when that word was had a passion of hate behind it.