Did Megyn Kelly get fired from NBC? Unless you are already doing some winter hibernating in a cave (if so, sorry to wake you), you’ve heard about the brouhaha over her recent comments. And probably that the situation escalated until it was announced that she is leaving her 9 AM show, Megyn Kelly Today, and won’t return.

Granted, there are times when some may think the so-called PC police go too far—but this wasn’t one of them.

The problem began with a seemingly innocuous segment about Halloween costumes. Megyn said she didn’t see what was wrong with white people dressing in blackface for trick-or-treating. She expressed her dismay that a white woman on The Real Housewives of New York was criticized for presenting herself in an Afro wig as Diana Ross. What’s the harm in that? Megyn questioned. People did that when I was a kid, she added.

Outrage exploded, and Kelly—deemed racist and insensitive—felt the fury of her colleagues, her bosses and the public. Granted, there are times when some may think the so-called PC police go too far – but this wasn’t one of them.

The Opportunity

Here though is the facet we want to focus on: Even if there was any truth to Megyn’s words, “People did it when I was a kid,” all of us need to recognize that this is a not an “excuse.” Actor Patton Oswalt put it well: “Dear Megyn Kelly — you and I are approximately the same age. Blackface was NOT okay when we were kids. Take it from a big-hearted boy who just wanted to show his love for Nipsey Russell on the worst Halloween of my life.”

Our society has changed, and we must each look, listen and learn every day.

One of the things about midlife is accepting that a lot of time has passed since we were little. The world has changed. We live in a sensitive, tumultuous era when the language and habits of our youth may be past their expiration date. It’s incumbent on all of us to think twice before mouthing off. The ideas about race, ethnicity, religion and gender identity that served us well in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s have been transformed. They may lead us to misstep or misspeak by today’s standards.

It’s 2018, almost 2019. Our society has changed, and we must each look, listen and learn every day. (Hooray for life-long learning!) Here’s how chef Padma Lakshmi put it: “You have a responsibility to educate yourself on social issues, Megyn Kelly. This is so damaging.” A statement all of us should take to heart.