How much farther we still have to go

The current big news is that of the owner of a professional basketball team being recorded making some racist remarks.  He will probably face stiff penalties for his actions.

Last year an actor and popular commentator was overheard making anti-gay remarks and lost his job.  A few weeks ago he did it again on a social media site.

A few years ago a presidential candidate was recorded saying he didn’t care about a large percentage of the American people.  A remark that contributed to his loss in the election.

All of these people have been penalized for their actions.  As these events were widely reported in the media, the expectation is that there will be some sort of sanction for what they have said.  You would think after a couple of examples that people would learn.  But as it continues to happen it makes me seriously wonder how many people are really open minded and don’t pre-judge or hold prejudicial thoughts.

I mean these are all people that are constantly in the limelight.  They are used to being scrutinized and inspected all the time.  They are not ignorant or new to contemporary social trends.  Yet when push comes to shove or when they feel relaxed they easily and naturally go with their prejudicial attitudes.

I have to wonder if these are just the dying spasms of attitudes held by older generations or if this is really symptomatic of attitudes and ideas held by a majority of people in secret.