Oh how the Mighty have Fallen!

Thinking back to the days of Kennedy High School, when our band director wanted to insult the percussion section or to otherwise get our attention, he would call out "Drummers!" with the tone of voice that he considered the word an insult. In retrospect, I never should have even considered it an insult. The collective noun "drummers" includes Buddy Rich, Neil Peart, and Dave Weckl. It includes Steve Gadd, Steve Smith, and Billy Cobham. It includes Alex Van Halen, Lars Ulrich, and Gene Hoglan. So if someone wants to group me in with those musicians? I am all for it!

All of this crossed my mind in light of the recent flurry of words and things now being considered offensive. They're everywhere in our culture at this point in time. Here are three:

• The words "citizen" and the phrase "brown bag" are potentially offensive: http://eaglerising.com/2482/thought-police-ban-words/
• The name of a NFL team is potentially offensive: http://baystatebanner.com/news/2013/oct/24/washington-redskins-name-controversy-latest-battle/
• Dressing up in specific Halloween costumes is potentially offensive: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/23/university-tells-students-to-avoid-offensive-halloween-costumes/

Where does it end?

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