Funny how societal rules go in circles, isn’t it? Case and point:
When I was in middle school, a lot of kids boys my age played a game called “Smear the Queer.” If you don’t know what it is, it can be easily explained by saying that there were a group of kids trying to tackle whoever was carrying the football. It was a game a lot less harmful than how the name sounds. Actually, looking back to my middle school years, there were a few things said and done in school that would never work in 2023. Not that anyone back then was offended but it should be noted that in the game, pretty much ever guy WANTED to be the queer.
It wasn’t until some time later, two decades or so maybe, that the term “queer” became derogatory and there was a wave across the entire country eliminating that word from conversations. I guess it came across as being offensive.
Fast forward another decade or two and the rules seemed to have changed again! Round and round we go, huh? Now queer is back and I guess it’s OK to say. After all, there was even a hit cable show called “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” and if you come across a blue/pink/green/purple-haired person, chances are they will identify as gender-queer, whatever that means. It reminds me of when saying gay became offensive (just a few years ago). But when Florida drew up a certain bill which was given the slang phrase, “the don’t say ‘gay’ bill,” liberal people lost their minds and were using the word every chance they could. Rules change… again!
I guess I’m just tired of society in general. I should clarify, though. I’m not tired of people I know or new people I meet. I’m tired of the loud, obnoxious ones on TV and in the media. It’s almost as if they keep stoking the fire just to watch it all burn.
See y’all tomorrow…
-Out of the Wilderness
Out of the Wilderness 