Then you ARE prejudiced

Remember that commercial? Grandpa's out fishing with Grandson, and Grandson asks what "prejudiced" means, and mentions Jimmy, "my Jewish friend." Grandpa says, "Well, then you ARE prejudiced because you called Jimmy your Jewish friend instead of just your friend."

Made such an impression I can remember the words 30 years later. It was symptomatic of an entire wrong-thinking push to suppress language of identity--or to hyper-honor it with hyphenation. Exhausting, confusing stuff: nobody really knows what counts as offense any longer--and worse: real prejudice slips underground, along with racism, and becomes the worst kind because you can't point it out in the sun.

To all my Jewish friends: L'Shana Tovah, darlings. Peace and happiness to you and your families.