R-Truth and an Uncomfortable Change in Character: WWE and Racial Stereotyping

We live in a politically-correct society, and I personally believe that is dragging us down.  Everyone has to watch what they say and how they say it, or they could offend someone.

Most people who are wrestling fans need look no further than the strong-handed tactics by GLAAD to see where it is taking us.

So why did I feel so uncomfortable watching R-Truth's promo with the Miz last night?

Because I watched a talented "superstar" turn from vicious, psychotic heel into a slapstick lackey.

When R-Truth debuted his new character, he was a pissed-off black man who constantly felt like "The Man" was holding him down.  Sure he slurred words, used terrible grammar and seemed genuinely unbalanced, but he had just enough truth in his words to make you realize that he might not be completely off the mark.

Or to paraphrase a line from Catch-22, "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you."

That was the feeling that R-Truth's character gave me.  Crazy but maybe more than a little right.

The promos came off as genuine and entertaining, and he never once compromised himself as an intelligent but loony character.  When he got paired with the Miz I felt it would only get better.  The mixture of the Miz and his stable mind but out-of-control ego and R-Truth's psychotic but impassioned ramblings seemed like gold.

And then Monday Night Raw happened.  Miz came out in a suit and tie and started talking.  When he mentioned that he had an epiphany and R-Truth launched into a rambling promo where he misunderstood multiple words, I winced.  It got worse as Miz kept trying to explain himself and Truth kept getting more and more lost.  It was painful to watch.

This wasn't the character I had enjoyed.  This was a sidekick.  One who didn't understand things on a high level and was easily influenced.

Where was the R-Truth who was deranged but able to seduce the Miz into working with him by feeding his ego with the right words?  Where was the wrestler who had given us moments when he held audiences in the palm of his hand and got them to say whatever he wanted while pretending he hated it?

Gone.

Instead we got somebody who nodded his head along.

To words he didn't understand.

Coming from a well-groomed white man in a suit.

We live in a politically correct world where people are offended by the slightest thing, but I feel that this crosses the boundary.

I just want to know.  When it comes to R-Truth character, what's up?