April 21, 2000
On the subject of cynicism - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- “Cynicism is an unpleasant way of saying the truth.” -- Lillian Hellman
I have been called a lot of things. One of the things I’ve been called since starting this column-writing thing in June of 1999 is cynical. Sure, it too is a blunt summation of my personality, but I think of it as an honour of sorts. I mean, who else do you know that’s willing to stand on his respective milk crate to bitch and complain about anything he sees un-fit with life? Who’s willing to take flack, tomatoes and observations from the readers?
Even before The Commentary, my writing has always been peppered with snide, sometimes brutal pieces of honesty that some may misconstrue as cynicism. I must admit, one attracts more with molasses than vinegar, but I’m reminded by Rafe Mair’s mantra in life. It’s a line I try to live down in anything I do: “Be true to yourself and tell it like it is.”
Never once in the 226 editions of The Commentary, have I tried to cater exclusively to the bottom feeders by altering my thoughts and or opinions to suite somebody else’s agenda. Nor have I, in the almost 10 months of doing this, tried to compromise my own integrity for the sake of good copy.
Recently, I was asked by a teacher of mine to express my thoughts regarding an assignment that was used in that class I’m in. I composed a report expressing what I thought and how I thought the assignment should be improved. The teacher accepted it graciously, admitted I had made some points worth looking into, but suggested that I employ “tact” in my expression of thoughts and words.
I didn’t blow up and hurl expletives that could harm small children or horses, simply because my ego isn’t there yet. I wasn’t at all offended, I simply took that thought as an opinion and took pause to examine it.
Tact? What the hell is tact? I pride myself on the respectfulness I show others and institutions, but I also happen to pride myself on noting inaccuracies, wrongs and unfairness done unto others. I happen to be very disappointed when someone has to compromise their integrity for the simple fact of maintaining the status quo. I’ll be the first to stand up and raise hell, when I see something wrong going on. Perhaps being honest or being attentive to crap isn’t being tactful, but may I be damned if I ever have to give into being a lickspittle to political correctness.
If I see something or hear something, I will admit that I may be inclined to take whatever it is, with a grain of salt.
How can we really believe that Ujjal Dosanjh is a different leader than Glen Clark? He’s got most of the same people on his side of the house, even having Mr. Clark in his own caucus. I’m reading Kim Campbell’s brilliant memoir, Time and Chance. She’s very vivid in her recollections by trying to drive home to the press and Canadians that she was really not Brian Mulroney in a skirt. Yet, the Canadian people harbouring a hell of a lot more cynicism than I, voted that bloody Liberal bunch in, in 1993.
Sure, I take everything with a grain of salt. You’d have to in this world, or else the bastards would get you down. It’s one of the reasons why I detest the CBC so much. Sure, its nice to get good balanced, well researched programming. But, sometimes processed dribble isn’t superior to raw and honest openline talkers like Mair or Warren.
I do think that cynicism is simply honesty. I think you’d have to be the biggest half-wit in all of the land not to know from cynicism comes truth. I certainly detest this restrained, afraid-of-retribution attitude taken on by many. It’s an attitude that is so afraid of speaking up, because to do so would mean looking bad. Sometimes you have to take that stick of yours and poke it through the hornet’s nest.
Fine. Call me cynical, I’d rather be cynical than a pasty, reluctant conformist. And good on me for that.
Have a good weekend.
Questions and comments may be sent to: editor@thecommentary.ca
An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .