Is Political Correctness a System of Taboos?

[Flavus Aquila]

Is PC just an aggregate of contemporary taboos (linguistic and/or thematic/conceptual)?

Its not PC to discuss certain topics (eg. muslim attitudes towards women, or non-muslims); and its not PC to use certain terms (eg. Journalist Milo Yiannopoulos provokes by calling himself a dangerous faggot). How is this different from saying certain topics and expressions are taboo?

Are taboos an aspect of a backwards culture, or a progressive liberal culture?

 

[ZcM4xzkjgzCjytBc]

PC is simply restricted conduct as a means to appeal to a broader set of people.

 

[Jet]

Taboos (aka mores) are an aspect of any culture... they are the things that are morally wrong according to society.

What you listed are more of folkways (things that are rude rather than morally wrong) than taboos IMO.

So like...speaking ill of the dead=folkway
sleeping with the dead=more (or taboo if you prefer)

Political correctness is mostly just a way to not be an asshole. IME any topic can be discussed if you do so in a polite manner and you know, have an actual conversation.

Also what one calls themself (i.e. "dangerous faggot") does not change what is or is not acceptable for others to call them.

 

[Jet]

PC is simply restricted conduct as a means to appeal to a broader set of people.

Or revised content to not alienate or insult broad sets of people.

 

[Flavus Aquila]

PC is simply restricted conduct as a means to appeal to a broader set of people.

Good manners are not the same as PC.

 

[Jet]

Good manners are not the same as PC.

And here in lies the crux of the issue.

For those like myself PC *is* just good manners. (BTW the dictionary agrees with me: Merriam-Webster defines "politically correct" as "agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.") It is not censorship, people are still free to go be giant cuntnuggets on the twitter, but then they have to deal with the backlash.

For others PC is "thought control", its asking that people actually change their thinking that [insert group of choice here] is actually deserving of being thought of in a respectful manner ... the horror.


There is a power in words. I fail to see how being more conscious and inclusive makes my life any less, especially if it makes someone elses life a little more.

 

[Flavus Aquila]

And here in lies the crux of the issue.

For those like myself PC *is* just good manners. (BTW the dictionary agrees with me: Merriam-Webster defines "politically correct" as "agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.") It is not censorship, people are still free to go be giant cuntnuggets on the twitter, but then they have to deal with the backlash.

For others PC is "thought control", its asking that people actually change their thinking that [insert group of choice here] is actually deserving of being thought of in a respectful manner ... the horror.


There is a power in words. I fail to see how being more conscious and inclusive makes my life any less, especially if it makes someone elses life a little more.

Good manners are about acknowledging the other person, their thoughts, and actions.

PC is about not offending.

However, if you wish to lump good manners and PC together, its neither here nor there. The topic is whether PC (and possibly manners - but don't derail please) is a system of taboos?

 

[Jet]

The topic is whether PC is a system of taboos?

Are we in agreement as to what you are considering Taboo???

I don't agree that PC is at all about taboos.

 

[CindyLou]

@Jet I am, or used to be what you call PC when PC basically meant good manners. I am a considerate person in polite company, almost to a fault. Anyone that knows me will vouch for me on that. I have been called that term by quite a few people in my life lol and I proudly told these people that I was just being kind hearted. After all, I am a diplomat! Those are my diplomatic skills!

Well, it is not that anymore. I have watched things change and I've become disturbed by it. I can't even ask questions. I can't speak my opinions. It's made me silent on certain topics. If I think things are out of control in this area I trust my judgment because I am polite and considerate and if I'm noticing, there's a problem.

Imagine being in a relationship where you could never speak up when you thought something was wrong - even the most minor issue, and most importantly serious ones - because the other person was so sensitive or got super defensive and angry? They might call you crazy. They say you're a bad person for bringing up the issue. They get angry every time you say anything remotely critical. Then you start to wonder if they're actually hurt or trying to get you to STFU so you don't bring up any issues, ever. That is what this feels like to me now. Society feels like a person like that. Now I have to walk on eggshells all the time if I do speak and a lot of the times it's easier just to STFU.

I wish that I had more time to talk about this, but I just haven't had any time the past couple days. Maybe I'll be able to type more later. Good thread though. Wish I could contribute more.

Sorry for contributing to the derail.

 

[slant]

Believe it or not, there are some people who do not use the term "PC" because in the natural way that they behave as a human being, their behavior falls in line with "PC" and therefore to use the term "PC" makes little sense since to them, it is considered human decency.

 

[Jet]

Now I have to walk on eggshells all the time if I do speak and a lot of the times it's easier just to STFU

But sometimes the right action is to STFU. As a white woman what do I know about being a racial minority in the US...I don't.

I have spent years now having conversations about all kinds of PC topics and I have never felt shut down once I switched my mindset to one of a learner. I've discussed race, gender, religion, disabilities, furries, free bleeding, you name it ... I've probably had a discussion about it. Sure sometimes my voice doesn't get heard, but that is because my voice is not one that matters because it is *not* about me.

 

[Flavus Aquila]

Are we in agreement as to what you are considering Taboo???

I don't agree that PC is at all about taboos.

OK, it's good to be clear about what you think. Some more depth as to how PC and taboo systems differ would be appreciated.

 

[Flavus Aquila]

Believe it or not, there are some people who do not use the term "PC" because in the natural way that they behave as a human being, their behavior falls in line with "PC" and therefore to use the term "PC" makes little sense since to them, it is considered human decency.

Believe it or not, most INFJs are like that. There is undeniably a group of people, who are sensitive to the sensitivities of others, and will avoid certain topics, so as to avoid causing a fuss.

Sensitivity (feelers) are responding politely to sensitivities. This is very different to the enforcers and creators of PC. A feeler might feel uncomfortable to discuss a difficult topic, but a PC enforcer will literally call one evil for discussing certain topics (other labels such as biggot, racist, sexist, islamophobe, etc. are also furiously applied).

 

[slant]

A ta

Believe it or not, most INFJs are like that. There is undeniably a group of people, who are sensitive to the sensitivities of others, and will avoid certain topics, so as to avoid causing a fuss.

Sensitivity (feelers) are responding politely to sensitivities. This is very different to the enforcers and creators of PC. A feeler might feel uncomfortable to discuss a difficult topic, but a PC enforcer will literally call one evil for discussing certain topics (other labels such as biggot, racist, sexist, islamophobe, etc. are also furiously applied).

I associate people who whine about "PC" and how it has gotten out of control with people who want an excuse to be able to say and do harmful things to others. I have never met someone who complained about being PC who didn't want to do something that was going to damage or hurt another person, simply because they feel like saying something destructive. So that is the difficulty I am having. What is the non-PC things that people want to say? What are the non-PC things you want to say?

 

[CindyLou]

But sometimes the right action is to STFU. As a white woman what do I know about being a racial minority in the US...I don't.

I have spent years now having conversations about all kinds of PC topics and I have never felt shut down once I switched my mindset to one of a learner. I've discussed race, gender, religion, disabilities, furries, free bleeding, you name it ... I've probably had a discussion about it. Sure sometimes my voice doesn't get heard, but that is because my voice is not one that matters because it is *not* about me.

I've also have had discussions over the years on all of those subjects myself, the problem is before maybe I was ignored, big deal. Maybe I got a response, maybe we talked, maybe we didn't. If I offended someone I said I was sorry and I learned something and we all moved on. I learned a lot more before.

The difference now is that I'm called a bad person, not decent, phobic something or other, only because my thoughts and opinions differ. I don't say anything now, I know what the response will be so I just leave it alone.

 

[Flavus Aquila]

A ta

I associate people who whine about "PC" and how it has gotten out of control with people who want an excuse to be able to say and do harmful things to others. I have never met someone who complained about being PC who didn't want to do something that was going to damage or hurt another person, simply because they feel like saying something destructive. So that is the difficulty I am having. What is the non-PC things that people want to say? What are the non-PC things you want to say?

One example would be that boys need more specialised focus, resources, and funding in education. That many good resources have been poured into the education of girls, but an equivalent program has not been allocated to boys because historically boys used to outperform girls academically. I think contemporary feminist ideology is in part influencing the disparity of educational focus.

 

[slant]

One example would be that boys need more specialised focus, resources, and funding in education. That many good resources have been poured into the education of girls, but an equivalent program has not been allocated to boys because historically boys used to outperform girls academically. I think contemporary feminist ideology is in part influencing the disparity of educational focus.

I really don't think that is a big PC topic. I don't ever hear people saying "Shh! Don't you DARE talk about boys' educations!" In fact, there was a good documentary that touched on education on boys and how their conditioning can negatively effect men:

Feminists focus on both men and women's issues.

 

[Flavus Aquila]

I really don't think that is a big PC topic. I don't ever hear people saying "Shh! Don't you DARE talk about boys' educations!" In fact, there was a good documentary that touched on education on boys and how their conditioning can negatively effect men:

Feminists focus on both men and women's issues.

It's definitely a PC rage topic in some circles, as is my view that contemporary feminism is more about misandry and patriarchy conspiracy theories, than about equality.

 

[slant]

It's definitely a PC rage topic in some circles, as is my view that contemporary feminism is more about misandry and patriarchy conspiracy theories, than about equality.

Well the feminists you are referring to you are not actual feminists. I mean as long as when you are saying we should focus more on boys education you are not saying we should not put as much effort and support into educating women. There are still areas where men are leading and industries where when female enter those industries they are unfairly targeted, not given promotions, ridiculued, etc. Science, math, military the few big ones I can think of. The issue with men is more about male children who often have a hard time learning on the same level as girls. Reading level is a big one for boys.

 

[Jet]

Some more depth as to how PC and taboo systems differ would be appreciated.

If something is a taboo, it is considered morally reprehensible to the overarching society. It is not discussed, it is not done, it is a big bad no no.

Political Correctness is not that extreme. It is more of a folkway than a taboo. Folkways are things that are frowned upon in "proper" society but that still may happen.

Again I will use my example. Sleeping with a dead person = taboo. Speaking ill of them = folkway.

Or maybe lets think of something that is more in line with PC.
It is not PC to insist that only boys can play football. It is taboo to beat girls who try and play football.

One example would be that boys need more specialised focus, resources, and funding in education.

As a former educator and a mother of boys I can tell you that this is not a reality. Boys (especially minority boys) falling behind in primary education is a major issue that is impacting education reforms. But like @slant said, I don't think this is a PC issue.