Define Political Correctness--in any terms you want

[Neubob]

Originally posted by eskimo2
Although “Political Correctness” is often taken too far, it still is essential.  In my mind it means withholding prejudice or degrading speech and actions.  If you have an urge to call every black person you see a “%#$ N.....”, but you don’t, then you are exhibiting political correctness.  Motivation to be politically correct can come from: wanting to keep one’s job, wanting to avoid a fight, wanting to not look bad in the eyes of people who do not share your prejudice, wanting to not get kicked off a forum, etc.

I think that there's a difference between what is politically correct and what is socially acceptable. I may be wrong, of course, but to me it seems like socially acceptable is a way of behaving (mostly to do with politeness), while political correctness is a way of thinking.

We all know it's not pleasant, or generally advantageous to scream “%#$ N.....”, but political correctness, in my mind, is the force that prohibits the very thought of it in the first place. It's the guilt that forces us into a passive state of mind, and ultimately, state of body. Far more significant than basic public etiquette, it's the force that strives to numb anger itself, rather than find various outlets for it... A bit like the difference between a workout with a punching bag, verses an evening of drinking yourself into a stupor.

Being socially acceptable is what allows for a society of emotional, often unstable individuals to continue to function. Political Correctness is the clinical obsession with worrying that somebody will be hurt, offended, or spurred to action because of what we might do or say.

Again, just my view.

[texasmom]

It is possible to speak truthfully without being a total jerkoff.  If you speak the truth & are a jerkoff... you're still speaking the truth, but you usually offend everyone around you... not because of what you said, but because of how you said it.

If you speak the truth, but make just a little bit of effort, the point still comes across, but without the disdain that comes along with the offensiveness that being a jerkoff causes.  That's not PC.  That's manners.

(hm... as I'm listening to myself here, a picture of me being a jerkoff on 200 just flashed through my head ~ sorry about that.  Yes, I'm a jerkoff more than I should be)  

PC, on the other hand, I see more as appeasement (sorry, too lazy to go into something different for a spell-check).  Doesn't necessarily mean PC is the truth ~ but it's what everyone wants to hear in an effort to make sure everyone comes out even ~ the total dive off the cliff of 'bread n jam for francis,' everyone comes out even, nobody gets to be placed above or below anyone else.

[Shuckins]

A type of intellectual hypocricy that has its roots in the confusion caused by cognitive dissonance, or the conflicts inherent in trying to hold two diametrically opposed beliefs:  i.e. offending one ethnic or political group by restricting their speech or actions in order to avoid offending another ethnic or political group.

A purely hypothetical example, or is that hypocritical, I can never remember:  The governor of a large western state signing legislation that, among other things, effectively bans the use of the terms "mom and dad" and "husband and wife" in the state's public schools because such phrases might be offensive to gays and transgenders.

[Leslie]

I wonder who started political correctness?  It had to start somewhere, but where?  Where did it originate? Or even is it a new trend, or has it been around longer than we realize?  I'm almost thinking it began with that book, I'm OK, You're OK .

Do you think PC is like a form of anxious worrying about what might happen if you offend someone non intentionally?  Anyone could do that.  It's called being human.  Humans make mistakes.  The key word is non intentional.  

PC seems to thrive on a victim mindset.  Who wasn't a victim before now becomes one once he has been told by PC he should be offended.  Seems like molehills are turned into mountains when PC is around.  As long as there are people who think, there will be arguments against it.  I do understand where a thinking person might have to pretend they're PC to keep a job.  

Perfect example of political correctness:

One time a couple friends and I visited one of my old teachers.  The discussion got around to politeness, manners and etiquette.  His wife and kids were there (about 7 and 10 years old I guess.) Well one of my friends said something to the effect of he might have said the word "n***r" before in private, but he didn't mean it in a particularly derogatory way and he would NEVER say it in front of a black person.  This discussion was wrapped around having the kids hear it and to LEARN something.  The mother of the 2 kids within earshot went ballistic.  Even after the dad had told her to calm down, that there was nothing wrong said.  She was persistent that she didn't want her children to even hear that word.  She was going to protect them from that word.  She is not black and there were no black people there.  Ruined the evening for that guest, who was a good friend and his first time over there.

We laughed about it on the way home because it was so stupid, but my friend was p'od and I would have been too if it had been directed at me.  That sure wasn't conducive to anything resembling thinking, and was rude to my guest.  Pure PC.




Les

[Tigeress]

Originally posted by Leslie
I wonder who started political correctness?  It had to start somewhere, but where?  Where did it originate? Or even is it a new trend, or has it been around longer than we realize?  I'm almost thinking it began with that book, I'm OK, You're OK .

Do you think PC is like a form of anxious worrying about what might happen if you offend someone non intentionally?  Anyone could do that.  It's called being human.  Humans make mistakes.  The key word is non intentional.  

PC seems to thrive on a victim mindset.  Who wasn't a victim before now becomes one once he has been told by PC he should be offended.  Seems like molehills are turned into mountains when PC is around.  As long as there are people who think, there will be arguments against it.  I do understand where a thinking person might have to pretend they're PC to keep a job.  

Perfect example of political correctness:

One time a couple friends and I visited one of my old teachers.  The discussion got around to politeness, manners and etiquette.  His wife and kids were there (about 7 and 10 years old I guess.) Well one of my friends said something to the effect of he might have said the word "n***r" before in private, but he didn't mean it in a particularly derogatory way and he would NEVER say it in front of a black person.  This discussion was wrapped around having the kids hear it and to LEARN something.  The mother of the 2 kids within earshot went ballistic.  Even after the dad had told her to calm down, that there was nothing wrong said.  She was persistent that she didn't want her children to even hear that word.  She was going to protect them from that word.  She is not black and there were no black people there.  Ruined the evening for that guest, who was a good friend and his first time over there.

We laughed about it on the way home because it was so stupid, but my friend was p'od and I would have been too if it had been directed at me.  That sure wasn't conducive to anything resembling thinking, and was rude to my guest.  Pure PC.




Les

Just my opinions, mind you...

Society is fluid... it changes, albiet slowly.

PC'ism is an artifact of the change of Society.

Some don't want it to change... others do.

But change is inevitable as humankind matures.

Differences between humans are a lot fewer than likenesses; cultural differences, notwithstanding.

The prior were opinions.

TIGERESS

[lazs2]

it is the result of letting women put socialists into power.    It is also the bastardization of science with psychobabble.    pretty much the same as man made global warming..   they agenda is socialism and science is perverted into the fight.

Socialism always seeks to destroy individual rights.   PC is a way to attack the nasty old constitution that was written by a bunch of unrepentent individualists.  The egghead community hates individualism and the constitution and embraces socialism for it's percieved "order".    

In my opinion... PC has not made for politeness (albiet forced) but...  resentment.   Any person with any sense of right is filled with resentment when faced with PC

Those who doubt that it is socialist agenda... look at the correct term "illegal alien" and the phony socialist one "undocumented immigrant"   This is beyond silly yet... some accept it.  Not because it is a correct term but because it is POLITICALY correct.   what "politics" would that be now?   Why not call drug dealers "undocumented pharmacists"?

lazs

[texasmom]

Tigress made a good point about PC being fluid to whatever the social flavor of the day is.  Manners never go out of style, though.  Best just to use those.

[Meatwad]

PC = limp wristed sissies that cry and whine about every little thing