"Going Columbine" - please stop using this phrase

[ColoradoDisney]

I was disturbed to hear the term "going Columbine" on someone on this week's podcast. While I am sure it was not intended to be offensive, it is to me and others in the Colorado community. Let's honor the heroes and remember the lost of this tragic violent event, not make them a punchline of a joke.

 

[Zdog]

I agree w/you. No need to make this a huge issue, but I was a bit taken aback by the comment by new podcast crew member as well. Not the end of the world, and I won't stop listening of course, but probably not the best choice of words. As someone who lived many years behind a 'live mic', I know that there are times you wish you could take something back moments after the words were uttered. I have a feeling this is one of those times. Perhaps this is just one of those chalk it up to a lesson learned situation.

 

[keys2kingdom]

Yep, not funny AT ALL

 

[Disneyready]

I agree. I was very shocked when I heard this. There was an active shooter in the mall where I work this past January and I had to run out of my store and hide. Admittedly I am very sensitive right now because of this incident. I know Jenilynn did not mean to upset anybody. I believe that so many of these shootings have happened that people have become desensitized to them. Again nothing against Jenilynn, just be aware that a statement like that can be emotionally disturbing to some people.

 

[DisneyDorx]

DISappointing...

Bad choice of words...

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I was shocked as well. Some tragedies are just not funny no matter how much distance there is.

 

[khertz]

I was taken aback by that statement as well. Very poor choice of words by someone making their debut on the show. Hopefully that is not representative of how she speaks on a regular basis.

 

[jcarter29]

I am sure this was addressed promptly. It was a very poor choice of words for an otherwise well spoken person. I've never heard it used before but then again I work in education so I'm sure no one would ever consider this appropriate in my field. Just be more cognizant.

Kim

 

[GAN]

It caught my attention mostly because I don't hear that phrase very often -compared to others. It's the difference between live and edited shows -one slip of the tongue can hurt. It's hard to offend me with words, and quite frankly sometimes I think there is too much political correctness -but that's just me and I can see how that could really affect others. But I'm sure if she could re-roll the tape, she would do it ....we've all said things that we didn't mean or that weren't well thought out and could be hurtful. I think she has a lot to offer and I hope this doesn't make her overly cautious in the discussions. No stone cast here.

 

[mdvlprof]

It's hard to offend me with words, and quite frankly sometimes I think there is too much political correctness -but that's just me

Not just you. We've become too thin skinned. We've become afraid to say anything, for fear we may offend some one.

 

[UpstateMick]

Not just you. We've become too thin skinned. We've become afraid to say anything, for fear we may offend some one.

Agree...and Pete himself has said a lot worse than the comment being discussed. I don't think any of them are intentional, but it's live, it gets emotional, and it just happens. I applaud them for all of them feeling comfortable enough to say what they want...nice to see a group not playing "the game."

 

[ColoradoDisney]

Not just you. We've become too thin skinned. We've become afraid to say anything, for fear we may offend some one.

"Those we stand for nothing fall for anything" - Alexander Hamilton

I choose to stand with the families and communities that lost students and teachers in the Columbine massacre. While I believe the podcaster's comments were not intentionally offensive, that doesn't mean they are not. I am not recommending we boycott the podcast or anything like that. In this public forum, i am just asking that we reject the use of the term "going Columbine".

"We've become afraid to say anything". I agree. That is why I raised the issue. I am not afraid to confront this issue. There is absolutely nothing light hearted about the massacre of 12 students and 1 teacher. It should never be reduced to the punchline of a joke.

 

[polineedyan]

I am from Chardon, Ohio where 3 young adults were shot in the HS cafeteria just a year ago. If someone said "Going Chardon" or "Going Sandy Hook" I would be extrememely offended. However, people are free to speak as they choose. Pretty disgusting if you ask me.

 

[acpalmer]

It's typically pretty hard to offend me, too, but as someone who knew kids at Columbine during the shooting who were injured (and still deal with both the physical and emotional fallout today), someone who has a son who will attend Arapahoe high school next year (and graduated from there myself), and someone who currently teaches a student who was at the Newtown elementary school when that shooting happened--this phrase felt like a bit of a gut punch. Yes, I'm a rarity that all three of those apply to me, but as a teacher, school shootings are always going to be a sensitive subject and I wish we wouldn't think it's OK to make light of them.

That said, will it change anything about how I listen to the podcast? Nope--will still have it on every week. But if we don't let someone know when something is bothersome, we have only ourselves to blame if someone continues.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Do I think it should have been said? No. Did it offend me? Well, since it didn't stand out to me when I listened to the Podcast, no it didn't.

But what if she had said "going Postal"? Would that have offended anyone? It's the same concept other than not involving children. Is that the line that shouldn't be crossed? And the term going postal became pretty mainstream for a while, and I still hear it used from time to time. And we still hear about workplace shootings on the news. So what makes one term less offensive than the other?

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

I doubt that many of us can imagine what it's like to have weekly conversations that are broadcast for all to hear. I agree it was a poor choice of words, but I'm sure she knows that and, hindsight being 20/20, would not consciously choose those words again. I'm not going to judge her based on one phrase. I thought she was a great addition to the crew and enjoyed her first show.

Laurie

 

[rteetz]

I doubt that many of us can imagine what it's like to have weekly conversations that are broadcast for all to hear. I agree it was a poor choice of words, but I'm sure she knows that and, hindsight being 20/20, would not consciously choose those words again. I'm not going to judge her based on one phrase. I thought she was a great addition to the crew and enjoyed her first show. Laurie

I completely agree!

 

[MKMountainBoy]

I doubt that many of us can imagine what it's like to have weekly conversations that are broadcast for all to hear. I agree it was a poor choice of words, but I'm sure she knows that and, hindsight being 20/20, would not consciously choose those words again. I'm not going to judge her based on one phrase. I thought she was a great addition to the crew and enjoyed her first show.

Laurie

Agree with this.

 

[k5jm]

Going all "John Wilkes Booth"... Too soon?

That was actually the first time I had heard the "Columbine" metaphor.

I will no longer put specific labels on generic events. I will no longer call a photocopy a "Xerox," nor a Pepsi a "Coke," or a Piano-Forte a "Piano," or the affordable healthcare act "Obamacare."

Color me "not offended." I think I will go see "Book of Mormon" now.

 

[keri125]

Seems like people get all "eye roll" about political correctness until something offends them. Then it's phrases like, "Normally I don't care about being politically correct, but since this directly affects me, I now care." I just find that interesting...