Humor upsets RN
Paul Shepard
Issue date: 3/24/08 Section: Opinion
The March 24 editorial page of The Oracle contained an article by Mr. Allgood aptly titled "Cheap Shots" which was awful on so many levels, that offering constructive criticism is a challenge. In this "article" many of the stereotypes of ageism are visited, but neither in a particularly creative nor humorous fashion. Mr. Allgood could have chosen to write an article exploring what it means to grow old in this culture or specifically in Arkadelphia. Such an article could have contributed to a better understanding and appreciation of this vulnerable population. However, that would have required some thought or effort.
Instead, the reader is insulted with a barrage of cheap shots aimed squarely at "grandma & grandpa." Why? How is it "OK" to depersonalize an entire group of people like the elderly? History offers us precedents to such "desensitizing" of populations. One only has to examine this country's troubled history with racism. Another unsettling example of "desensitizing" an entire population group in Nazi Germany's handling of its Jewish population in the 1930's.
No doubt, Mr. Allgood was probably just attempting to be funny and intended no harm. Granted, it is America and one can think and apparently write whatever they can think. But, why would a college-level publication chose to publish such dreadfulness?
Paul Shepard, RN, MSN, APN
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
pre-baccalaureate
Spanish
Instead, the reader is insulted with a barrage of cheap shots aimed squarely at "grandma & grandpa." Why? How is it "OK" to depersonalize an entire group of people like the elderly? History offers us precedents to such "desensitizing" of populations. One only has to examine this country's troubled history with racism. Another unsettling example of "desensitizing" an entire population group in Nazi Germany's handling of its Jewish population in the 1930's.
No doubt, Mr. Allgood was probably just attempting to be funny and intended no harm. Granted, it is America and one can think and apparently write whatever they can think. But, why would a college-level publication chose to publish such dreadfulness?
Paul Shepard, RN, MSN, APN
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
pre-baccalaureate
Spanish
Be the first to comment on this story