Once again, the pages of the Toronto Sun have provided me with plenty of fodder about which I can have a little rant. My latest target is Laura Smith (her named has been changed to protect the inane) from Toronto.
She took exception to an article written by Mike Strobel about a new popular soup kitchen that recently opened in Toronto. Most of us will recognize the reference. Ms. Smith, obviously didn’t. Here is what she wrote:
Nazi is not applicable
Re “Page Six,” (April 6): Do you know what a Nazi is, Mike Strobel? Obviously you do not, or you would not have used the “N” word to describe someone who makes soup. Use a little more intelligence and sensitivity.
— Laura Smith, Toronto
Now I was never a fan of Seinfeld, but even I knew about the Soup Nazi. It is one of those references that transcends the show from which it was taken; known by most people, even those who weren’t fans of the show, like me You have to have your head buried pretty deep in the sand—or, perhaps your nose stuck pretty high up in the air—not to pick up on a pop-culture reference such as the Soup Nazi.
Or maybe it’s not that at all…maybe this is just another example of how political correctness in society is sucking the life out of the arts & entertainment world. Maybe Ms. Smith is aware of the reference, but just doesn’t think it is appropriate. If this is the case, then that’s even worse!
I mean political correctness has its place in society, but sometimes people take things a little too far.
Entertainment—especially comedy—is an important tool. The best comics help society hold a mirror up to itself and allows it to see how absurd it is. Laughing at our differences and yes, even atrocities such as the Nazis don’t demean the victims, they disarm the people who committed these terrible acts and what they stood for.
Case in point; the KKK were once a powerful force in North America, feared and hated by most. Now, thanks to they way the entertainment industry portrays them, they’ve been reduced to jokes. Not many people fear the Klan anymore. They’re a dinosaur, reduced to a punchline. That can be the power of humour.
I mean imagine if artists like Richard Prior, George Carlin, Benny Hill and even Mel Brooks came in today. I wonder if they would even be heard over today’s bleeding-heart PC censor-happy kill-joys. I bet they wouldn’t make it past the underground comedy club circuit. How sad is that?
What are you thinking?