Let's discuss "politically correct." IMHO, it's a Hard Right tool.

[blondeatlast]

I propose that we do away with the term "politically correct" entirely. Let's use the term "civil" instead. One of the reasons I was taught about civil discourse is that I was raised to be a good citizen; something I see sorely lacking in today's social environment.

IMHO, refraining from telling that racist/sexist/anti-Semitic/anti-Muslim/what-have-you joke at work isn't politically correct--it's good citizenship. I think we all have a responsibility to make the workplace relaxed and productive. Intentionally offending another's sensibilities is very poor citizenship--something I tend to attribute to the selfishness of the Hard Right, not intelligent progressives.

Not to mention that "turning the tables" on our opponents (Condoleeza Rice, Ann Coulter (I freely admit to being guilty in her case), et al) legitimizes THEIR arguments. That isn't political correctness/incorrectness, it's just a lazy, lousy way to make our points.

Yes, you can tell that dirty joke; I would never stop you. But I'll be damned if I will refrain from telling you that I'm offended by it for fear of being labeled "politically correct"

Or civil.

I hope others can see the difference in these two words.

[JuniperLea]

1. Yawn

:boring:


We need to get over ourselves and worry about more important things. People are being killed for no good reason. People's children and spouses, sisters and brothers are in harm's way for no good reason, and all we can do is get in a snit over words.


Puhleeeeze.

[blondeatlast]

2. And yet you clicked on it to insult me. Nice work.

Edit--I doubt you even took the time to read it.

[JuniperLea]

4. I'm sorry if you feel insulted

Just remember... no one can make you feel anything. You choose to feel how you feel. So, I guess I should say, I'm sorry you choose to feel insulted... by stupid words.

I'm just voicing my opinion here. This is a message board. It is here for free speech and opinions.

In my opinion, people are overly sensitive and need to stand back and get the big picture. If that means going to a mountain top to see a massive view of land, so be it. There are too many things that are really important. Like life and death. We are faced at this very moment with life and death. From that perspective, I find it petty and insulting to the entire human race to be worried about silly words.

[Nobody]

11. Words are very powerful

Even you could figure that one out.

The sentence above is a verbal attack. If you read that sentence and felt even a twinge of irritation, it worked. Be aware that I wrote it not to be insulting, but to show that words do have power, even if we are trying to deny that power exists.

[JuniperLea]

17. Nice try

I rarely feel insulted for myself. Had you said that to another, I would have jumped your ass... and not in a good way:)


Yes, you couldn't be more correct! Words are indeed mightier than the sword! I work in a writing profession and I know that all too well. I understand verbal manipulation; it's how I make my living.


All that being said, I stand by my original thoughts here. I refuse to feel anything but pity toward people who try to manipulate with words that which they have no substance to secure. And I feel sorry for those who do not feel good enough about themselves and secure enough in their own skin that they feel the need to dictate to the world what can and cannot be said in their presence. I think it's shallow. That is my opinion. It is my right to have an opinion. That being said, I am not closed minded and have often changed my opinion. And that being said, I've seen nothing on these boards today that has swayed my opinion in the slightest.

[baby_mouse]

14. I used to buy into your position until you said it like that, just now.

Perhaps you'd like to try again?

[ourbluenation]

6. I read it and I'm gunna have to hit the snooze bar too I'm afraid.

sometimes being so pc is just hysterical in and of itself.

[blondeatlast]

5. Civil discourse is a step in the right direction, though.

The Hard Right WANTS us to be angry. It's divisive and it keeps us from uniting in a common cause.

Language is a VERY powerful tool.

[Duncan Grant]

10. My nephew is in Iraq.

As the poster of the locked thread, you might be surprised at my capacity to handle not only the dignity of the troops but also that of transgendered people. No one can hold the 'war' over my head to suggest I have trivial priorities.

Puhleeeeezze.

[JuniperLea]

15. As I said

You choose how you yourself will feel.

I prefer to choose my battles and set my priorities differently, that's all. So excuse me if I or someone else doesn't agree. It's our right. This is still a free country, at the moment anyway.

[crispini]

3. I agree. DU'ers who are using the term "PC"

are buying into the right winger's mentality.

[kiraboo]

7. I'm not yawning. I think you make a very good point.

Most people agree that "political correctness" as a concept has reached the point of being somehow offensive. Terming it "civility" takes the politics out and puts the humanity in. I like the idea.

[SmokingJacket]

8. Well, I'm hard left, and I use the term once in while...

to describe a way some people have of obsessing over language instead of substance -- or even to gently make fun of myself. That said, I don't think refusing to tolerate the mockery of transsexuals or stupid watermelon jokes is AT ALL PC.

In fact, in today's super-rightwing-dominated world, I find fewer and fewer occasions to use the term.

[bloom]

9. I agree

I see it as a buying into - it's not cool to be considerate - their group doesn't do that (it's cool to criticize and offend minorities, the vulnerable, whomever is fun to marginalize) - and they want to be accepted by that group.

And they don't want anyone offending their group (the offenders) - by criticizing them either. (But they can offend other groups).



Seems like there is a cat running around trying to catch it's tail. :yoiks:

[Nobody]

12. Who you deem it acceptable to offend

says a lot about you and who or what you value.

[oblivious]

13. I agree 100%. It is misused by some progressives and abused by the right.

For example, not long ago there was a thread about someone being upset his girlfriend was 'obsessing' over 'P-C' food. It turned out she wanted to avoid unhealthy food.

No one objected to the term 'P-C' being used for food, even though it was meaningless in that context, having nothing to do with political correctness. It was just a way of disparaging someone, writing them off as a loon, a person obsessed. It seemed obvious to me even progressives use the word negatively

So, yes, it should be done away with.

And for people who yawn about the topic because there are more important topics to deal with, if you don't take the time to examine how language is being used against you, to manipulate you, to justify wars of agression, to write off people who object to right-wing warmongering policies as just a bunch of 'P-C wackos', well, there's a problem.

politically correct
1. Of, relating to, or supporting broad social, political, and educational change, especially to redress historical injustices in matters such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation.
2. Being or perceived as being overconcerned with such change, often to the exclusion of other matters.
http://www.answers.com/topic/political-correctness

Political correctness (also politically correct, P.C. or PC) is a term used to describe language that appears calculated to provide a minimum of offense, particularly to the racial or cultural groups being described.

The concept has been extended by conservative commentators, particularly in the United States, to describe what they see as a larger liberal "political correctness movement" focused on censorship, social engineering, and influencing popular culture through venues such as music, film, literature, arts and advertising.

Liberal and progressive commentators, however, argue that the term "political correctness" was hijacked by United States conservatives around 1980 and redefined as a way to reframe the political scene in the United States.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_correctness

[yurbud]

16. if it is truly a lefty idea, it's odd how rarely it comes up here

I could count on one hand the number of threads I've seen on this, and most people don't take them seriously.

The premise of your post is correct--"political correctness" is right wing straw man to dismiss legitimate underlying issues as trivial matters of semantics--you don't have to deal with the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow if you can make fun of someone for wanting to be called African American instead of black.

People here seem to realize there are bigger fish to fry, and if we correct the underlying problem, the language will take care of itself.

[JuniperLea]

18. Well put

"People here seem to realize there are bigger fish to fry, and if we correct the underlying problem, the language will take care of itself."

My Granny used to say... do you want to chase chickens all day or fix the damn barn door?

[yurbud]

19. In some parts of the country they would say you can't have sex

with the barn door.

[Duncan Grant]

21. How do "we" who are offended express our desire to see change?

I still find myself interested in how the underlying problems will be addressed and corrected.

From my point of view, benign neglect makes DU unsafe for some people. I would never invite my trans friends to post here. I can only imagine my reaction when they're told to "grow a thicker skin" when they object to the anti-trans sentiment re: Ann Coulter.

And to add insult to injury, progressives are roughed up for even mentioning it. There seems to be a distinct lack of empathy in our discourse lately.

edit: sentence

[ruggerson]

20. Why don't we just hit them with "faith based correctness"?

I'd rather counterattack than be on the defensive all the time.

They think they are moral elitists, they think they are better than everyone else, and we should call them on it.

[Duncan Grant]

22. I couldn't agree more. Thanks for starting this thread.

Your observations about civility are exactly what I'm concerned about here at DU.

It's not funny to post a picture of Ann Coulter with a penis and then mock trans people in the process. When did this become acceptable discourse at a progressive board?

Again, thanks for the thread - it's a valuable discussion. :thumbsup: :)