It’s growing simpler and simpler to buy into the idea that today’s society can find anything to be outraged by.
Although it may be unfair to refer to this generation as the “snowflake” generation, as some have, there is undoubtedly a sense of change permeating the world right now.
While in some cases that’s a good thing—I mean, there are things that were once considered normal but have no place in modern society—there are other situations where it’s impossible to help but feel that our need to police one another is going a little too far.
A liquor store in Oklahoma came to this decision point after putting up a sign that caused controversy.
While we all aspire to live in a world free of prejudice, hatred, and bullying, I believe we can all agree that there is a difference between eradicating truly offensive things and acting outraged in order to stir up drama.
People getting “outed” online these days for something they said or did is fairly common. It really only takes a few clicks to become the contentious focal point of an online storm.
Midwest Wine and Spirits, an Oklahoman liquor store, discovered this after posting a sign in their storefront window that stated, “Pull your pants up or don’t come in.”
The notice continued, “Try to have some decency and respect for others. No one wants to see your underwear.”
It doesn’t seem all that offensive at first, does it? They aren’t specifically disparaging any one group or making assumptions about its members’ political or religious beliefs, for example.
Nevertheless, the sign and the idea that the store believed it had the right to tell people what they could and could not wear clearly incensed a number of people.
The placard was quickly uploaded to the internet, allowing Internet users to continue the discussion in public. And they kept doing it.
According to reports, the disaster spread like wildfire. The sign’s proponent, Chad Gilbert, one of the store’s managers, defended it by saying: “I realize wearing pants low is a fashion statement for some, but it doesn’t work for me and I find it somewhat offensive.”
“Usually, when people come in with their pants sagging, it’s easier for them to steal bottles,” the store employee continued.
Sunshine Weatherby, a neighborhood client, said: “I can understand that if it were like a church. You might have a problem with the fact that there are families there, but this is a booze store. In a liquor store, I’ve witnessed worse.
How do you feel about the argument? Was the placement of the sign by the liquor store improper in any way? Or are they exaggerating it too much? Please tell us in the comments section.
Meanwhile, share this article on Facebook to help us encourage healthy debate.
