I'm Tired of Hearing…
As someone who makes a living using words, I try to be very careful in choosing the words I use. Admittedly, I can always do better, but we as a society need to start being reminded that words mean something.
Nothing over the past few years has proven that more than the “acceptance” of the word “pimp.” While I understand that language changes (just read a King James Version of the Bible for proof of that), the word “pimp” still carries the connotation of sexual activity. Still, the word is being thrown around now as meaning “hip” or “cool.”
In the last week that has come to my attention in two very shocking ways.
First…
There is a new line of clothing for little children. And I mean “little.” These clothes are designed for children who are not in Kindergarten yet, or who may have just started. The tagline is “clothing that defines a generation.” The name of the clothing line? Pimpfants! The website describes the line of clothing this way:
Pimpfants… it’s more than a name, it’s a movement! Our clothing bridges the
generation gap between parents and kids,allowing babies and tots everywhere the opportunity tohit the playground with fresh gear and street cred. Pimpfants uses only the highest quality products, so your shorties can represent in style and comfort. If you want puppy dogs, ducks and frogs, you’ll have to visit a zoo. But if you are looking for children’s clothing that defines a generation,look to Pimpfants!
The clothes, to be fair, do have a certain design flair. However, some of the designs also are simply repugnant. Besides some clothes simply having the “pimpfants” logo across the front, there are other shirts that have messages I would not dare put on this blog! Is that what we want our children wearing. And, keep the tag line in mind: “clothing that defines a generation.” If that is true, then this is totally scary.
Also…
I get mail from many different places. Some large youth organizations send mail for their events to any “church,” so, as a youth minister, I get some interesting invitations. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for what came across my desk yesterday.
There is a youth-oriented event in Georgia in July called “Forward 2006.” The conference will feature such people as Jentezen Franklin, T.D. Jakes and Lincoln Brewster. There will also be fun times for the young people.
However, the part that should shock any youth leader is the “contest.” If a group registers by a certain date, they are automatically entered in a contest to receive a great prize for their group. The prize pack includes a laptop computer, a Dell projector, a 92-inch screen and a worship CD-Rom. The name of the prize pack? “Pimp My Church.”
When will we realize again that words still have meaning?
