Giving away the fact that maybe we've all got better things to do with our time, I believe people have the right to raise the issue (freedom of speech), but I believe there are often two or more sides to the issue, even to liberal progressive types. I'm gonna bring up four different items of cultural clash:

"Redskin" for Native American. I don't think this was meant to be demeaning or pejorative and I don't believe I've heard it used that way except for people who seek to change the word. It wouldn't bother me if the sports team kept that name and I think they're getting a raw deal about it in the name of PC. This is one of those cases where a biased minority can change public perception by creating a new perception, not necessarily a better perception.

"Indian Giver". This is for sure demeaning, and SO ironic. Also when I was growing up, very commonly used. I haven't heard it used for years, yet it shows up in a song lyric that I quite love otherwise. And I can't find anything to substitute in the lyric that will scan.

"Eskimo". I'm beginning to hear some notions that this is demeaning, yet among older people I've worked with who ARE such, it is not considered demeaning or pejorative. It actually has a use, in that there are different cultures with different proper names which are closely related and can be referred to by this word. I'm afraid that someone with a name to make will make it into a cause.

The Musical "Flower Drum Song." I really loved this musical and the movie when I was a kid. Yet I've heard from Oriental Americans that they find it patronizing, and I accept that, though I don't believe it was meant to be demeaning, quite the reverse. In 2002 there was an effort to restage the musical with the original songs and a new book.

So the art is out there, and it gets interpreted and used by the public. Some stuff makes the cut, and some gets cut. So far I think Gilbert & Sullivan are in it for the long haul.

I'm holding steady with "Fiddler On The Roof."