So-called Preface

 

    For quite a long time I didn’t know how to start. What to do in the beginning. If the Word was in the beginning of creation, it means that it is important to start in a good way. And what is more important, tuning the instrument or jumping forward? I couldn't decide which text to paste first and finally decided to just write something new. A few words about this and that, what’s that for, how it will look and why... And then it hit me. I’ve been watching one of my all-time favourites, “Life of Brian”. I instantly knew I should mention a few names. After all, comedians are masters of ridiculing the idiots of everyday life, stigmatizing human flaws and senseless behaviours. Stupidity surrounds us because this world is a strange place. And, unfortunately, it will remain strange, whether we like it or not. It’s very good that there have always been those, who pointed their finger, who were not afraid to name things. Those for whom the absurdity was essential food, pushing their creativity to the next level. 

    Who should I mention "by name"? There are a lot of comedians, and I am not going to list all those I like, simply because it would be quite boring to read. Regardless, I have to say two words: Monty Python. Classics on the highest possible level. England, the country of joyful, dry humour and the spiritual homeland of "pure nonsense" has a lot to offer in this category, from stand up comedians to many comedy series that are classics. On the other side of the Channel there was Roland Topor and on the other side of the Atlantic we have had Woody Allen films and stories or novels like "The World According to Garp" or "Catch 22", just to mention a few. Poland, you probably don’t even know it, is also a goldmine on this subject. It’s really impossible to mention everybody anyway, so let’s stop here.

    Many of the above-mentioned were active at a time when much more could be said. Was it easier for them? In the past, when someone called someone a fool, they could get hit in the face for it. Just like that. There was no need to call people racists, anti-Semites, homophobes, fascists, leftists or whatever else comes to mind. Today everyone is offended by something. Everyone is bothered by something, and we all still know so well that political correctness is only for a public display, because things look completely different “on the street”.

    I live in England. At least for now. I work with people of all possible nations, cultures, religions and colours. Many of them are my good friends. I know that totally different people can live together in peace, I know it’s possible, but I can also see why it will be extremely difficult to achieve. People here in the UK are very gentle and sensitive to what they hear. Everyone needs to be addressed appropriately, even when he or she is addressing you inappropriately.

A scene.

    A teenager is walking down the street. He's drinking a Coke from the can. He finishes his drink and throws the can away, without looking, somewhere to the side. The can hits your child's head. Nothing big has happened, there’s no blood or anything but you tell him off, gently, prompting he should be more careful as he could do some serious damage to someone. The young guy immediately talks back, he almost jumps at you and he’s really aggressive (these days you should be glad he doesn't pull out the knife right away). He spits his venom straight in your face, and he tells you, that you oppress him because he is black (this is just an example, please, colour doesn’t matter). 

Cut.

    You see, there is an interesting paradox here. A dude is offended not by what you said to him, not to mention that his own behaviour should be embarrassing to him anyway. Nowadays the person is offended by what he/she sees as offensive in a given statement or situation. Even if you did not say anything racist, but politely pointed out that the can he had thrown could hurt your child (and there was a rubbish bin four meters away), he may be absolutely convinced that your boorish attack and vulgar remark has had a racist motive. And, unfortunately, he would be right and you would become a racist.

    In such circumstances it is sometimes difficult to name what you see, no matter what you see and no matter how absurd or stupid it is. In modern England persecuting, insulting or stressing anyone, because of a race, religion, skin color, beliefs, preferences or whatever else you could imagine, is a crime. Theoretically, it may happen that I suddenly fall silent in this blog, just to wake up in one of Her Majesty's prisons or I will be just fined. Maybe it will not be that bad anyway. I intend to write about various topics and in many ways, but I am not going to attack anyone or insult anyone, or to be intentionally senseless or rude. I also hope that the intelligent reader will always dig into what is sitting between the lines. The reality is neither bad nor stupid, racist or anything else. It just is, and only thinking and the people themselves make it this or that. It is exactly the same with the absurdities of everyday life - they do not create themselves. They are created by people, their behaviour, beliefs and, finally, simple thoughtlessness and lack of imagination.

    I do not consider myself to be racist or anti-Semitic, I am not against Muslims, Chinese, Mexicans, Germans, those who love differently or those who love the same way as others. I consider myself a very tolerant and calm individual. Well, over the years I have developed a very strong allergy to stupidity. If someone is offended by what I write, I apologize in advance, but I also heartily advise you to look in the mirror. 

After all, fine feathers make fine birds.