It was the day of this year's Boston Marathon. An ESPN radio host in New York's Capital District was commenting on the Ethiopian runners who took the top honors for the day. In doing so, he made remarks that were so repugnant we won't repeat them here. We wrote the channel to confirm we had heard correctly. We received a response stating that "in retrospect it was an inappropriate comment in a vain attempt to be funny." And there you have it. The harm was done. Hanging unrepentantly in cars, homes, gyms and offices of thousands was a racial and ethnic slur that not long ago would have merited outrage and maybe even disciplinary action. Now, sensitivity for others has been labeled "political correctness" and tossed to the wind. Say what you will is the new norm. Some even admire it as speaking truth and as unleashed freedom. Stunned, we found ourselves saying when and how did this happen in a country where diversity has been our strength and where so many of our founders were outcasts form other less tolerant places? Read more...