Do people worry too much about being politically correct? |
I don't mind political correctness, but this is getting out of hand
Nothing is okay to say anymore. No sentence won't offend someone. I had a teacher who struggled for ten minutes to find a way to say we have a new student who is retarded. She said "he... Thinks different. He has some difficulties learning and has... Odd ways of socializing" and an additional 10 minutes of nonsense because 1 or 2 words (if she wanted to say his specific "special thing about him") also Several girls told me about how feminism is a condesending term, and prefered "sexually liberated woman" and the difference between gender and sex. I understand using offensive words to be offensive is wrong, but when I have to tip toe around a massive and ever expanding minefield of "naughty words" I feel it's gotten out of hand. When I have to tell my friends "my cousin is a biological man with certain carachteristics and perfectly natural impulses that give him a sexual predisposition towards members of the male sex, though he is mentally a free and outspoken woman" rather than "my cousin is a tranny" I feel that this is just over complication and arbitrary limits to what should be acceptable to say, as I have no qualms with my cousin as a person, I'm just stating a fact.
Posted by: AnonymousPolitical correctness will ruin our nation.
Political correctness (PC) is based on however the current wind is blowing. Common sense takes a back seat, in that reality is subverted by the current political trend. It's almost like shoe styles: here today, gone tomorrow. The real issue is the damage that is being done in the name of PC to our nation's society. People ignore what history has taught us, in other words, what has worked and what hasn't worked in the history of mankind. PC is quietly destroying the nuclear family as it has existed for over 5,000 years. PC is destroying how we are able to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong. In my opinion, I have no regard for political correctness because it is neither political, nor correct!
Posted by: AnonymousAt first, political correctness was necessary for education. We should all be above and outside of this by now.
When First Nation elders were consulted about whether they would prefer to be identified as Native Americans, Aboriginal Americans or another title, they said, "American Indians is fine." Nobody had bothered to ask them what they might think for fear of offending them. The rest of it is just as absurd. I'm not Scottish-American, or Swedish-American, I'm just American. As long as it's not a racial slur, what's the point? Conscience easing? Navel gazing? Nothing better to do, now that we've solved global hunger and disease?
Posted by: taiomaI agree that people worry too much about being politically correct and that it is hurting people in the long run.
More and more people are worrying about being politically correct. Everybody is worried about offending someone and it is hurting people in the long run. Names change all of the time for the sake of being politically correct. For example, it used to be senior citizens but now it is elderly. It actually gets very confusing when you don't know when it changed.
Posted by: RandallSPolitical correctness curtails freedom of speech
Political correctness has become more like a mechanism to curtail speech particularly when it inhibits people from bringing up issues such as discrimination where you see reversal of patterns or cultural practices that are discriminatory towards orientation or gender. Prime example is how sharia law or beth din places women at a disadvantage but if you bring it up you are culturally insensitive even though the gorilla is setting in the room for all to hear, see and smell.
Posted by: AnonymousWe should not have to worry about how someone is going to take what we say as long as we are not intentionally trying to be hurtful.
How can a person possibly now the myriad ways in which they might possibly offend someone? If I was short, why would I be offended if someone called me that? If I was poor why would I be offended if someone called me that? What if I was a minority, is there some reason why I should request a special title so that I can feel like I'm being respected? Political correctness is basically asking everyone else to determine for me how I will feel and act every day instead of me being the responsible for my own reactions and responses to what goes on around me.
Posted by: MariaRBeing Politically Correct is Counterproductive
Like racism it can go both way for example by not saying Merry Christmas you offend people who do say it. There are many different views and when political correctness comes into play it is like saying no you can't say what you believe because it is wrong . Over all not cool
Posted by: AnonymousYes people worry too much because you can't please everyone.
In today's screwed up society, pretty much any word will in fact offend somebody. I just tell myself that you can't please everybody, and truly you can't. Something a teacher wants on an essay can offend someone else. At the end of the day, you have to realize who you want to make the best decision for yourself, or somebody else.
Posted by: AnonymousForcing political correctness is a waste of time and a violation of the First Amendment
Practically everytime that someone opens their mouth they are virtually guaranteed to offend somebody on the earth and being politically correct tries to overlook the differences we all have, differences which separate man from machine. Also the First Amendment of the US Constitution specifically states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." and if Congress can not infringe on the Freedom of Speech nobody can
Posted by: AnonymousYes, and it is driven only by a few members of society.
For a movement that is supposed to empower everyone and support equality it has completely failed. Instead of freedom now everyone is suppressed to express their opinions by a small minority. And this applies to everyone; we have all been in this position. Why should society impose arbitrary shackles on itself?
Posted by: beri319Say what you think!
Say what you think today even if tomorrow you change your mind and must say something different. We cannot possibly progress without communication and trust. Humans have a built in mechanism to censor themselves and it doesn't need help from society. We are not a collective like ants we are individuals with responsibilities to ourselves; our families and to society.
Posted by: AnonymousThe concern over political correctness inhibits personal freedom of expression, and changes the focus on social constraints, rather on content of what one says.
The choice of using a particular word or phrase in a linguistic exchange does not change the key point of what is said. If we have two words, for example, "politically incorrect word A" and "politically correct word B", which refer to the same thing, but social morass dictates that word B is OK, while word B does not change what is said. In other words, if the content of what is said is offensive, that should be based on that content. The evaluation of one's statement should not be based on an inconsistent definition of a single word.
Posted by: FlakyNicholas60Political correctness (PC), it's just politics.
Certain groups in society just use PC to encourage/support/endorse/forward their own politics. It's just a tool for them and the agendas they support. They use it also to take the high moral ground. We have to tread on egg shells in case we offend someone. It's just about total rubbish
Posted by: AnonymousI believe that people worry too much about being politically correct due to people wanting to avoid conflict that result from their views.
I believe people worry too much about being politically correct because of many laws and stigmas surrounding topics. If you made a joke about a black person in school, you would have gotten by in the past. Now making the same joke can cause you to be called a racist and worse be expelled from school. If you deny a black person a job because they don't seem qualified for the job or you perhaps have another person in mind, it would have been alright in the past. Now an action such as the one mentioned could have someone calling you a racist and also report you to officials as practicing discriminatory hiring methods. Every one catches their tongue because they are not sure if the people in their company would find offense to their words. People should be able to speak their mind and not worry if its politically correct to say or do.
Posted by: SporksAntoiPeople worry too much about being politically correct. People should be able to be open and honest in debates, even if some could find it offensive.
People worry too much about being politically correct, and as a result very necessary discussion and debate is stifled. Many avoid addressing vital issues, such as immigration, multiculturalism, affirmative action and others, because they fear it is too controversial and are afraid of being labeled insensitive or a bigot. This does society a disfavor, as these are important issues and deserve to be addressed openly and honestly.
Posted by: EminentBennett93Yes, Whenever They Badger Other People For It
Considering your own language and how that impacts society is OK. But when you badger others for their language they will be annoyed and may be more reluctant not only to change their language but to support the sort of society you want. And since not everyone share your values they may very well be being "politically correct" according to the furtherance of their own political beliefs.
Posted by: MasturDbtorYes, political correctness sometimes lead to unwise actions.
Being pc sometimes leads people to make decisions that are not the best for all. For example, making every attempt to be politically correct when dealing with one group of people may offend other groups. Or, making every attempt to be politically correct when dealing with an individual may lead to our true feelings being masked and our communication being less than genuine. I think that certain values should be given high priority - like honesty, fairness, humility and empathy. But, to throw all of these into a box and call it political correctness means to limit ourselves. Each situation calls for a unique mixture of attributes, in all of those involved, in order to bring about the best results.
Posted by: MohaI0v35What is freedom of speech?
Case and point... The freedom of speech is just that... I as an AMERICAN can say whatever I want as long as I am not threatening another persons well being. We are too concerned with whether a person is "offended" by what we say rather then telling it how it really is. SMOKE AND MIRRORS!
Posted by: AnonymousYes, I believe sometimes people worry too much about being politically correct.
This is the United States and we are supposed to be free. We should be free enough to express ourselves as long as there is no harm to others. People who walk on eggshells annoy me, to be honest. If you have a closed mind, that is fine and it won't bother me. As long as the comments are not harmful, I believe people should be able to express themselves as they see fit.
Posted by: DistinctJamar63I love Everyone
It is about politics. I don't agree with the current trend of socialism but I am afraid of being labeled racist because it seems to be the others only way of fighting back.
Posted by: AnonymousPeople do worry too much about being politically correct; people are afraid to mention things like race at all for fear that they'll be labeled as a racist.
People are far too worried about being politically correct. This is not to say that we should be racist or sexist or intentionally demean each other with our speech; it is certainly a good thing to examine one's words and thoughts in order to improve them. But if people are afraid to even mention race or sex in any context out of fear that they'll be labeled racist or sexist, it stagnates communication and keeps people from saying what they really think. How can we even have a common conversation about racism or sexism if everyone's afraid to even mention it?
Posted by: tagappsPolitical correctness is just another form of good manners but…
It used to be perfectly acceptable to refer to people with disabilities as “spastics”, “cripples”, “invalids”, “mongoloids”, “loonies”, “morons” and “mental-retards”. Over time, however, one-by-one each of these words became used as terms of abuse for people without disabilities. The only trouble is their current replacements are quite cumbersome: “a person with restricted-mobility issues” and “a person with learning difficulties” do not trip off the tongue in the same way as words like “spazz” and “retard” do.
These days the word “gay” is being used to mean “undesirable” and it won’t be long until we have to call male homosexuals something else. Possibly “culturally-aware male vaginaphobic phalophiles” or something.Posted by: brian_egglestonI think that people do indeed worry too much for being politically correct.
This fact is evident in every aspect of a society, including mainly different news media such as TV or newspapers. What people need to worry about is saying the truth and not how that truth would necessarily insult someone or not. The facts about social issues are not going to go away just because nobody dares to address them if they fall into politically incorrect zone.
Posted by: BurM4rk
Being politically correct is part of showing respect for society and the differences between people.
Everyone has been told that they're being "too politically correct", but they're often just being polite. While in mixed company, it's best not to possibly offend or alienate other people. Not insulting others due to their race, sexuality or heritage is important. A crass joke is occasionally acceptable, but it's possible to make jokes without being derogatory.
Posted by: R4yCherI believe it is better to be overly aware of political correctness than not aware at all.
I believe the few times that political correctness has been overdone are much less harmful than the millions of times it has not been used at all.
Posted by: BratzkyPolitical correctness is an important part of our society.
Political correctness is a measure of the equality in our society. Political correctness is a sign of the recognition of the trials of minorities and helps us understand their plight so that we may be more empathetic to their situation. Political correctness leads the way to societal change. It is important to understand others positions, which helps us change our priorities.
Posted by: R43ShepI do not agree that people worry excessively about being politically correct because we are sliding back into acceptance of various types of off-color humor.
I think that President Obama's recent use of the phrase "whose ass to kick" is representative of a trend in language that is making our society less polite in all areas. While part of me wants to think that our acceptance of racial jokes and assorted "politically incorrect" language is evidence that our society is beyond caring about race, I think that our recent acceptance of crudeness is more a representation of the lowering of language standards across all areas of society.
Posted by: Shim2freeIt seems to me that there are far too few people thinking about being politically correct.
When I hear people like Rush Limbaugh and other conservative talk radio hosts and others, and when I hear those who agree with them, I begin to think that civil discourse is dead in this nation. There is such hostility spouted from the mouths of these people who only want to get people upset enough to continue listening until the next commercial. I wish that people were more civil with each other. There is frankly a place for political correctness; it is not so much believing in a certain thing but at least being kind in one's speech no matter what a person believes in. There is no room for bad-mouthing people on the basis of race, religious tradition, color, sex, orientation, disability, or anything else except one's conduct. It is frankly cruel, lacking in compassion, rude, and in poor taste to do so.
Posted by: SportyHartThe majority of people don't worry about being politically correct as they continue to believe perpetuated stereotypes.
Most people would understand that the "N" word is offensive, but making a joke about immigration or portraying Muslims as terrorists might get a laugh out of a good few people. Most people don't know, and don't care that certain things are racist, sexist or homophobic, or just generally politically incorrect. Part of the irony in art and shock humor in TV shows and movies (that often make fun of racism) are often taken literally by people of low intelligence, and that creates even more problems.
Posted by: R053NeddyPolitical correctness, as such, does not require much effort, and shapes our thought and culture in a constructive direction, although it's only a first step.
Political correctness can be understood simply as an application of the idea of courtesy, and as such, seems worth the effort it requires. After all, would we say that most people worry too much about being courteous? Hardly, because our lives work better when we treat each other with respect. Careful use of language isn't enough, by itself, to achieve equality, and an ongoing respect for diversity in our multicultural society. Changes in public policy, in media, and in our lifestyles are needed to make men and women and people of different ethnic backgrounds, religions, and other demographic distinctions more equal. But language shapes the way we look at the world, and is a good everyday step toward a more inclusive community. Policing language can admittedly become obsessive and counterproductive, if it isn't accompanied by humor, goodwill, and a sense of perspective. However, none of these negate the basic value of the PC concept.
Posted by: M4I4cFeIine