Frank Watson: Sensitivity Training

I have a good friend who works for a Washington State agency.

Recently, everyone in her office had to attend sensitivity training.

The instructor began by stating that the course objective was to make everyone feel comfortable in the workplace.

Thus, men should keep their hands to themselves and romantic liaisons should not be part of the work day.

All terms should be gender neutral.

Everyone was cautioned to avoid language that might inadvertently insult any given faith.

This included not being allowed to decorate workstations for traditional American holidays.

My friend couldn’t contain herself, “Not even Christmas?” The response from the instructor was, “Especially Christmas.

It might be insulting to non-Christians.” In addition, no religious symbols or language were to be openly displayed.

The instructor went on, however, and said that if anyone wanted to join in the celebration of Ramadan, the Chinese New Year, or any Native American observance, that would be OK. My friend asked if anyone realized that the policy to make minorities comfortable, made everyone uncomfortable.

Her name was recorded as a trouble maker.

The instructor changed gears just a bit and announced that great care must be exercised so as not to offend any ethnic group.

My friend asked if “Caucasian” was an ethnic group and had another mark put by her name.

“For example”, the instructor went on, “The term, Brown Bag Lunch will be replaced with Lunch at Desk.” It seems that somewhere back in some obscure time and place, the color of a grocery sack was used a criterion for admission for something.

Those with skin darker than a brown bag were not admitted.

I researched the internet and asked the online research librarian but was still unable to find the reference.

My friend asked if it was all right to bring her lunch in a white plastic grocery bag and was told her attitude would be reported.

I agree with my friend, political correctness has gone so far that everyone is uncomfortable.

The other Washington has enabled zealots to cry “discrimination” when none is intended.

President Trump was recently criticized for allowing a picture of President Andrew Jackson to remain in the Oval Office during a meeting with Native Americans.

Give me a break! Should Washington and Jefferson be removed when meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus? This group was created several years ago to fight bigotry in government.

Their charter, however, prohibits white members.

I wonder how they define bigotry.

They are an exclusive group of black Democrats.

They recently denied membership to a black congressman because he was a Republican.

Their chairman is currently embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal and is under pressure to step down.

The Chairman of the Congressional Asian Caucus has also announced that he will not run for reelection.

He has been a champion of immigrants rights, even though he was born in Chicago.

All members of the Asian Caucus are also democrats.

I wondered why there was no Irish Caucus, then when I checked the internet, I found that there is one. It was started by Ted Kennedy in 1984. There is also a Scottish and an English Caucus. There is no Muslim Caucus listed, but there is one for Armenia, Assyria, Serbia and a Kurdish one. It seems that Congress is firmly entrenched in creating and maintaining little enclaves of segregated minorities.

What happened to the melting pot concept where we all become Americans regardless of our ancestry?

(Frank Watson is a retired Air Force Colonel and long-time resident of Eastern Washington. He has been a freelance columnist for more than 18 years.)