The Kilt Kultural Divide

In my last post on the Nathan Warmack matter I alluded to the fact that both left and right were unhappy with the school’s decision. That’s not to say that both sides understand this in the exact same way.

There’s a Petititon on this matter made up by the Clan Gunn society that’s garnered more than 10,000 signatures. Here’s an excerpt of the petititon:

These politically correct times in which we live require us to
accept many “alternative” attitudes. They are shoved down our
throats daily. We have to accept Ebonics, gender-sensitive language
and behavior, alternative lifestyles, and reverse discrimination to
name just a few. We are EXPECTED to show tolerance for everyone who
chooses “break the mold.”

Given that the object here is to get as many signatures as possible, this probably shouldn’t have been in the petition. Shakespeare’s Sister took issue with it:

Here’s a better question: How could a group that seeks to support free expression and pride in one’s heritage moan incessantly about the “PC expectations” of accepting others’ culture and choices? Yeesh.

I’m not positive, but I think Clan Gunn may be a sept of Klan McKuKlux.

Of course, the last line is somewhat unfair. But the left rarely practices understanding or thoughtful analysis of the right. Why bother when knee jerk assessments are so easily available?

Our culture encourages you to celebrate your culture and who you are provided you’re not a male of European descent. There are a lot of textbooks out there, and a lot of teachers who teach a one-sided history to make that heritage look shameful and disgraceful.

Really, I think that a lot of what has made the kilt so popular, here in the 21st Century has been a desire to discover something that people sense have been lost. So, the point (though poorly stated in the petition) is that if everyone else’s heritage and culture is going to be honored with special heritage months, why is it that Nathan Warmack’s heritage is dismissed as being clownish.

As a commenter observed on The Anchoress:

The linebacker should have said: “I’m not in a kilt, I’m in drag. Now leave me alone before I call the ACLU!!”

Of course, there’s a difference between alternate lifestyles and culture. Also, ebonics is a philosophy of teaching English and I seriously doubt that any school outside of Oakland has had to deal with it, so I don’t think it even really belonged in the petition.

Now, the way that Shakespeare’s sister comes at this shows how differently liberals view the issue:

The old “it would be disruptive” canard is undoubtedly etymologically linked to the first ever high school principal. “Oog, that dangly bone you’ve affixed to your loincloth may be aesthetically pleasing to you, but has the potential to distract other students. Please go immediately to the poo cave and remove it.” Mohawks, dredlocks, hair dye, piercings, revealing clothes, politically-charged t-shirts, skirts that scandalously revealed an inch of ankle, women’s trousers…each has, in its own time, been designated as a distraction from the learning process. Nowadays, it’s corn rows and hijabs. I daresay the controversy caused by prinipals intervening in students’ clothing and fashion choices goes a lot further in providing a distraction than the actual styles ever do.

So to Conservatives the issue is wrapped up in things like culture and tradition, to liberals its more a reaction against authority figures bullying people and interferring in student’s choice of clothing.

Thus, coming at it from two different viewpoints, we reach the same conclusion. Weird, huh?