The indirect approach applied to American culture and politics

Forget the academic discussion of the definitions of indirect approach compared to direct approach. Think more British mentality, or subtle humor, or “beating around the bush”, or “some things are better left unsaid”. “Think of chit chatting in a telephone call for a few minutes before you get to the point of the call”. One can make this more American as in a Negro can insult a Negro but lord help another race doing the same; or a female can disparage another female while a male cannot without bringing out some hard wired defensive response; or even a baby boomer can demean another while another generation cannot, again without bringing out an inherent defensive response. And less than half the baby boomers were hippies. More became more traditional hard working Americans, albeit infected with many of the same idealistic ideas. There I go.

What seems to be a recent cultural tipping point is the assertiveness of so some many citizens to want to impose their political views on their fellow citizens, and our children, and our culture as a whole. The seeming intemperance of these fellow Americans is something still new to our American history, though Prohibition shows we can do it, and later reject it. The recent example at the University of Delaware where “officially approved” values are to be taught by RA’s (dorm advisers) and required to be accepted by enrolled students (living in the dorms) is: 1) a change, 2) a tipping point, and 3) a direct approach that when exposed to the light of day is mostly embarrassing and simply un-American. Hopefully, enough students and parents will vote with their pocket books and feet, and go elsewhere to be educated. Now that is an indirect approach method that the University might hear.

The idea of PC, political correctness, used to be associated with dumb jokes and bad humor as common sense and respect met self-appointed political police. There is a big difference between not tolerating jokes about Poles, or stupid women, or stupid men, or stupid Negroes, and imposing one’s views, which may or may not be right, politically popular, or even voted on. If PC becomes self-appointed PC police as in much of the Arab world, then we are no longer Americans.

Rather we can use an indirect approach, mostly based on respect, applied both ways. And most certainly changing our culture will take two or three generations, as in 60 to 90 years. Some change in culture involves the old people and voters dieing off. Some involves convincing arguments that will change us. It will take time. And most are watching how it sorts out. This watching is profound, because it will take the collective judgment as to how we are doing, leaders, followers, citizens all.