Political Correctness

[Mule]

The following is the winning entry in an annual contest at Texas A&M University calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary Term:

This year's term was Political Correctness

The winner wrote:

"Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical Minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

[stomachmonkey]

This years winner huh?

Then why does it take me 30 seconds to find refs for the exact quote from as far back as 06'

[911pcars]

I've got a different take on the term.

Political correctness was initially a movement to bring dignity to the social order; to change previously used derogatory terms into more positive, socially acceptable terms. E.g. Fag/dyke > gay/lesbian; nigger > black, etc. I don't think anyone has a problem with that unless you have a problem with gays, lesbians or blacks. I suspect some do.

Political correctness has been criticized as a term used to mask negative behavior in a favorable light, to make a socially unacceptable act sound more socially acceptable; e.g. gangbanger > socially challenged. I'm sure we can compile two lengthy lists.

In one instance, it's using a term that's not offensive. In another instance, the politically correct term masks socially unacceptable behavior. Some groups confuse the two uses of the term and end up criticizing all examples of PC.

Some groups would rather drop all pretenses of political correctness and call a spade a spade (pun intended), never mind social etiquette. Some people need rules to mind their tongue. Others use their sensibilities.

IMHO, there's gotta be a middle ground. Those on the extreme ends may not agree.

Sherwood

[Rick Lee]

Poltically correct means always having to say you're sorry.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

"Political correctness" is little more than fear and lies.

Fear to say what one really means (because they're afraid they might offend someone/get sued/hurt someone's feelings/whatever). Lies because ultimately anything that is not the gods-honest, 100% brutal honest truth at all times is to some degree a lie.

Political correctness is an impediment to growth because it opposes honesty. If people cannot handle honesty or the brutal nature of truth, they are weak. Political correctness only serves to encourage weakness by coddling it.

I have little use for it.

[widgeon13]

PC is ""always"" saying what someone wants to hear regardless of what you think.

It ******* sucks!

[kach22i]

I had no idea it was layered and deep in meaning to some people.

I think of PC as just using a nicer non-offensive word, kind of like when you talk around children.

Would "affirmative action" be an example of PC?

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Would "affirmative action" be an example of PC?

Yes. I just say "racism". Fewer syllables that way.

[Mule]

Originally Posted by kach22i

I had no idea it was layered and deep in meaning to some people.

I think of PC as just using a nicer non-offensive word, kind of like when you talk around children.

Would "affirmative action" be an example of PC?

Yes it would. And every time I hear that term I want to know when I'm going to start seeng some Viet Namese in the NBA! This has to be the most blatant example of racism I know of!

[Mule]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

I've got a different take on the term.

Political correctness was initially a movement to bring dignity to the social order; to change previously used derogatory terms into more positive, socially acceptable terms. E.g. Fag/dyke > gay/lesbian; nigger > black, etc. I don't think anyone has a problem with that unless you have a problem with gays, lesbians or blacks. I suspect some do.

Political correctness has been criticized as a term used to mask negative behavior in a favorable light, to make a socially unacceptable act sound more socially acceptable; e.g. gangbanger > socially challenged. I'm sure we can compile two lengthy lists.

In one instance, it's using a term that's not offensive. In another instance, the politically correct term masks socially unacceptable behavior. Some groups confuse the two uses of the term and end up criticizing all examples of PC.

Some groups would rather drop all pretenses of political correctness and call a spade a spade (pun intended), never mind social etiquette. Some people need rules to mind their tongue. Others use their sensibilities.

IMHO, there's gotta be a middle ground. Those on the extreme ends may not agree.

Sherwood

The ever changing and elusive target of the imaginary right for no one to ever be offended must be defended at all costs. That's right ALL costs!

This is scarier than I thought it would be.

[onewhippedpuppy]

PC is for queers.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

"Political correctness" is little more than fear and lies.

Fear to say what one really means (because they're afraid they might offend someone/get sued/hurt someone's feelings/whatever). Lies because ultimately anything that is not the gods-honest, 100% brutal honest truth at all times is to some degree a lie.

Political correctness is an impediment to growth because it opposes honesty. If people cannot handle honesty or the brutal nature of truth, they are weak. Political correctness only serves to encourage weakness by coddling it.

I have little use for it.

Yet again, i am in 100% agreement.

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

PC is for queers.

Silly ******s, dicks are for chicks!

[sammyg2]

PC is mandated dishonesty simply because a member of a protected group doesn't like what you think. it's OK for them but not for the mahjority. double standard.

You can't mandate thought, only actions.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

"Political correctness" is little more than fear and lies.

Fear to say what one really means (because they're afraid they might offend someone/get sued/hurt someone's feelings/whatever). Lies because ultimately anything that is not the gods-honest, 100% brutal honest truth at all times is to some degree a lie.

Political correctness is an impediment to growth because it opposes honesty. If people cannot handle honesty or the brutal nature of truth, they are weak. Political correctness only serves to encourage weakness by coddling it.

I have little use for it.

Some responses remind me of a tough guy rant in a Hollywood movie script.

Pick which one suits you:
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=a+few+good+men&search_type=

Here's a PC example from a Wiki page:
Iraq Insurgency > Islamofascist Murderer

Apparently, criticizing PC depends on one's POV.

Sherwood

[kang]

Someone once said that political correctness is the intolerance of intolerant people.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

I've got a different take on the term.

Political correctness was initially a movement to bring dignity to the social order; to change previously used derogatory terms into more positive, socially acceptable terms. E.g. Fag/dyke > gay/lesbian; nigger > black, etc. I don't think anyone has a problem with that unless you have a problem with gays, lesbians or blacks. I suspect some do.

Political correctness has been criticized as a term used to mask negative behavior in a favorable light, to make a socially unacceptable act sound more socially acceptable; e.g. gangbanger > socially challenged. I'm sure we can compile two lengthy lists.

In one instance, it's using a term that's not offensive. In another instance, the politically correct term masks socially unacceptable behavior. Some groups confuse the two uses of the term and end up criticizing all examples of PC.

Some groups would rather drop all pretenses of political correctness and call a spade a spade (pun intended), never mind social etiquette. Some people need rules to mind their tongue. Others use their sensibilities.

IMHO, there's gotta be a middle ground. Those on the extreme ends may not agree.

Sherwood

I couldn't agree more. Especially the part about, "Some groups would rather drop all pretenses of political correctness and call a spade a spade (pun intended), never mind social etiquette. Some people need rules to mind their tongue. Others use their sensibilities."

With Jeff and Sammy's comments it makes me wonder how far they feel this applies - "...If people cannot handle honesty or the brutal nature of truth, they are weak."

Does this apply to calling people derogatory names as outlined by Sherwood above? Is a person "weak" because they don't like being called these intentionally insulting terms? What does the use of those terms advance? Your knowledge that the person using them is an *********? Because the use of those terms isn't "honesty" or "truth" its just verbal brutality that advances nothing in my opinion....maybe hurt feelings, maybe a fight and maybe even injury or death in certain circumstances.

I guess I don't get the "ANY" intent to use a more sensitive term or expression is some giant indicator of a character flaw as many on this thread seem to support.

[968rz]

I have no use for it, or those that try to wrap themselves in it.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I couldn't agree more. Especially the part about, "Some groups would rather drop all pretenses of political correctness and call a spade a spade (pun intended), never mind social etiquette. Some people need rules to mind their tongue. Others use their sensibilities."

With Jeff and Sammy's comments it makes me wonder how far they feel this applies - "...If people cannot handle honesty or the brutal nature of truth, they are weak."

Does this apply to calling people derogatory names as outlined by Sherwood above? Is a person "weak" because they don't like being called these intentionally insulting terms? What does the use of those terms advance? Your knowledge that the person using them is an *********? Because the use of those terms isn't "honesty" or "truth" its just verbal brutality that advances nothing in my opinion....maybe hurt feelings, maybe a fight and maybe even injury or death in certain circumstances.

I guess I don't get the "ANY" intent to use a more sensitive term or expression is some giant indicator of a character flaw as many on this thread seem to support.

What's good for the goose.....
Hiow about everyone uses the same rules and restraints?

PC is favored by those who stand to benefit from it and opposed by those whom it is used against. Sound familiar?

[berettafan]

i kinda feel like PC is for people who need to lie to be accepted by their poorly chosen peers.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I couldn't agree more. Especially the part about, "Some groups would rather drop all pretenses of political correctness and call a spade a spade (pun intended), never mind social etiquette. Some people need rules to mind their tongue. Others use their sensibilities."

With Jeff and Sammy's comments it makes me wonder how far they feel this applies - "...If people cannot handle honesty or the brutal nature of truth, they are weak."

Does this apply to calling people derogatory names as outlined by Sherwood above? Is a person "weak" because they don't like being called these intentionally insulting terms? What does the use of those terms advance? Your knowledge that the person using them is an *********? Because the use of those terms isn't "honesty" or "truth" its just verbal brutality that advances nothing in my opinion....maybe hurt feelings, maybe a fight and maybe even injury or death in certain circumstances.

I guess I don't get the "ANY" intent to use a more sensitive term or expression is some giant indicator of a character flaw as many on this thread seem to support.

One-off derogatory swear words are just that. Where it becomes a problem (in the case of PC) is the penalty for using non-conventional words that normally aren't offensive in and of themselves.

LIke saying "Black" or "Colored" in reference to "People of Color" or "African Americans" and so on.

that's not being an *********, that's being hyper-sensitive. Plain and simple.

People just need thicker skin and quit trying to moderate everyone else. That's the problem. Screw that "I am my brother's keeper" nonsense- I hate being moderated because of simple terms. Whomever coined that phrase fully believed in PC and was a liberal.

rjp