[PUG] Political Correctness

I dont like PC anymore... I stopped liking it when they started legislating it. It was fine when it was a form of self censorship to spare peoples feelings, now its a beast, and its just plain ole censorship.

 

Political correctness is in place, because there are some topics, ideas, and phrases that are intrinsicly offensive.

I certainly think that many things have taken political correctness too far, an example is removing "god" from the pledge of allegance. While I do not agree with it being there, the fact that people want it removed because it could "offend" people is just rediciulous. If it offends you, then just ignore it, it does not directly cause any harm to anyone. Yet, I think it is good for people to pratice politcal correctness. Out of keeping the peace in a sense.

That being said, I am a very politically correct person. I am this way mostly because I feel it is the fairest thing to do. Others could become offended. Regardless if I would or not, I take it as my resonsibillity to inusre that others are. Just because I am not offended, does not mean others will be. Again whether or not I agree with their rationalle.

 

Whatever political correctness is, it seems in conflict with "free speech."

 

Political Correctness is only for Politicians.

There was never a politician more politically correct than ENTP Prime Minister of Australia, Paul Keating.

That's political correctness.

 

So, what's Keating up to these days?

 

Political correctness has gone mad, yes.

 

He's in retirement at the moment.

Politicans retire on a lot of money, PMs retire on about 300,000 a year.

 

Political Correctness can be defined as the replacement of terms that are typically used in a pejorative or offensive manner - or carry insulting connotations- with terms that have less of a likelihood to offend someone.

Personally, political correctness does not seem like a negative thing when used "properly". There are some terms that indeed carry offensive subtext, especially with regards to the history of the treatment of certain groups. For example I agree with using gender neutral terms when referring to the general population due to negative connotations I see that can be associated with using non gender neutral terms.

It can indeed go " overboard", I suppose; although I cannot draw upon any examples currently.

I also agree with IndigoSensor's stance- that he mentioned in the closing paragraph of his post; that political correctness is useful to observe to lessen the chances of offending someone.

 

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWV1ryY8sXE"]YouTube- Becker S01E10 P C World chunk 3[/ame]

 

You can't find any examples? What about "African-Americans"?

I did a few classes with a white guy from South Africa, his brother moved to Canada and got citizenship. Technically he's an African American. However, apparently only black people get use of that term. Also, you're only an "All American" if your descent is from England or Scotland. Anywhere else and you seem to put your nation of descent before the "American", as if they're second class citizens.

 

Tact on crack

Yes and no, when it gets out of control as to prevent anyone and every one from being offended (and in doing so offending some one in the process some how). Then it has gone mad

A label yes, arbitrary probably not.

 

Political correctness is bad enough in its hypervigilant form, but worst when it comes to the "enforcement." The routine is utter rubbish: a person says something that is construed by someone else as offensive (with little regard to whether the speaker meant or was even previously aware of the offensive connotations), there are loud complaints, the media descend upon the case in search of high ratings, and eventually the speaker either loses shis job, or pretends to be profoundly humbled and contrite, meeting with advocacy groups to plead for forgiveness (perhaps losing shis job anyway, but in any case retaining the scarlet letter for a good long while).
It's a big show of huffiness and regret (occasionally with on-camera sobbing for good measure) that ultimately solves nothing.

 

Go be politically correct in your own god damned country, you, CANADIAN!