The explosion of YouTube, Spotify and streaming services has given me the opportunity to relive childhood TV shows, movies and music. It's unimaginable to think about the amount of information and entertainment available at my fingertips. This has also allowed me to identify and understand context.
Previous generations always believe their generation is better than the current generation. I'm sure Cro Magnon man said, "What's wrong with these kids today?". I'm sure you've heard it from your grandparents, your parents and your teachers. Yes...I'm guilty of uttering the phrase as well. I have come to two conclusions about the television shows and the music of my youth...
My definition of progress is based on improvement. The US and the world have made extraordinary progress towards issues of civil, women's and LGBT rights. And these changes have happened in a relatively recent and short time period of time. As recent as 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage, legalized it in all fifty states, and required states to honor out-of-state same-sex marriage licenses in the case Obergefell v. Hodges. I would argue that the past few decades have been as socially improved and transformative as any time in human history. Unfortunately, other individuals define progress as movement. This movement does not necessarily mean movement towards freedom. Their definition of progress (movement) is fluid and restrictive that includes the banning of books, the muzzling of language and speech and anything else that may be deemed offensive. This is progress (movement). Legally, is there such a thing as hate speech? What if a band wanted to name their group "The Slants"? The US Patent and Trademark Office denied the band's name because it could be disparaging to Asians. In October 2016, the US Supreme ruled in Matal v. Tam...
But what the heck do I know...I'm just Joe.
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AuthorI am a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend and Biology professor. We are on this Earth for a limited amount of time. Let's think, laugh and love. Archives
August 2022
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