Thoughts on Political Correctness

I have found several sources that claim that Ramona Hoage Edelin originated the term African-American in the 1970's (although some suspect it is older). She said of the term...



This is an example of successful effort to remove words from common use.

If you don't believe me, go to your next social event and refer to someone there as a Negro. You will feel uncomfortable using the word, and other people will be uncomfortable-- not because it is archaic (you could use the term horseless carriage without the same unease) but because the word "Negro" is now offensive.

This word was once in common usage. Now it is offensive in all but historical contexts (and Republican Christmas gifts).

The change from "colored" and "Negro" to "black" and "African-American" was the result of an organized effort by the African-American community to change the way they were described.

as long as we all get to decide how others view us I suggest that from this day forward all persons formerly known as "men" are now to be referred to as "studs".

1) You have the right to say things that I consider offensive or even outrageous.


Well, as long as what you say isn't frighteningly offensive ie. "I'm going to kill your wife and rape your children you lousy jew" I see no problem with a "racist joke." As long as you don't physically discriminate against the person such as attacking them or refusing to hire them based upon race, I see no issue with saying what you want.


2) I have the right to be offended or outraged.

You also have the right to think you are the Queen of England. If you are actually going to cry yourself to sleep because someone called you "a stupid jew" then you seriously have issues.


3) In many situations, it may be a good idea to refrain from using terms that others find offensive even when you don't understand the offense. This is a good way to get along with others.

What's the point of getting along with others if it is based upon completely false set of pretenses? If someoen enjoys saying screw black people all day long, then, they probably won't have many black friends. Or many friends of other races for that matter.


4) There are some times when offending people is a fine idea. There are some people I simply don't care about getting along with. There are some issues that I find more important than getting along

Exactly. Toleration and getting along are different things. Toleration would be not discrimination in a physical way, like I mentioned before. Getting along is pretending to be "racially harmonious." And a fake society, in my eyes, is worse than an honest society that makes racist jokes.


Basically, "political correctness" is just a way to control language, and thus thoughts, since we all think in the same way we speak. Besides, if someone is seriously offended by some harmless words, then they have some serious problems.

In essence, the "cure" of censorship is worse than the "disease" of freedom of speech!

As to how best to act in "polite society"? Well, that's a function of the assumed social mores.

there are other options, taking offense is not the only one. For instance humor could be employed as in when someone says something nutty to laugh at it, or at the one speaking. Another is to pass off the speaker as a crank, ie one who should not be taken seriously. Deploying PC laws is clearly a poor response.

Other options of what?

for free speech be a disease then it must be a problem. If no offense is taken then the speech is not a problem. We choose how to take what we hear, and what we do as a result. Being offended is all on the one who is offended. Whom ever decided that the person who decides to be offended has the right to compel the speaker to conform to his sensibilities was a knucklehead. I want names, and charges filed.

speaking of using humor to approach what some consider silly or intrusive sensibilities:


*featuring the late great Phil Hartman
**you have to click on the link - embedding was not allowed for some reason

You misunderstand the intent of quotes in the context given.

There's a racial componant to the term 'Welfare Queen'?

I love the clip you linked to, Aidin... I think you missed the point of the humor. The clip was a satire of racist cowboys. People who think the word "Jew-boy" is offensive in general language aren't going to be offended by its use in this skit.

Maporsche,

Tell me the impression that most "Welfare Queens" are black and live in cities isn't a problem.

It certainly is a problem for black 'welfare queens' in cities, but I think only a racist would automatically equate 'welfare queen' with 'black'. All statistics I have ever see indicate that a disproportionate percentage of black people are poor but nevertheless most poor people are white and I am guessing there are a lot more white 'welfare queens' than black ones.

Qualifier: I don't see all people receiving government assistance as 'welfare queens' either. Just those who choose to leech off government as much as they possibily can to avoid taking responsibility for their own welfare.

Absolutely. The vast majority of welfare recipients are white and rural, rather than black and urban.

ebrownp said:


um yeah - I think I got that- thirty years of watching SNL kind of clued me in..
I was providing an example of what Hawkeye is advocating as okay- in an effort to show that though it SOUNDS really good and perfectly reasonable to say everyone should be able to say exactly what they feel like saying without worrying how it's received on the other end - it probably wouldn't work as smoothly as he envisions it.
It also illustrated his point that humor can be used to make the offensive language user look more stupid than the ones the offensive label is used to identify.

I have a fairly well developed sense of satirical humor - don't worry about that. I think you missed the point of my post - but I'm happy to explain.

Yeah aidan,

I guess I was in forge ahead mode, responding brashly before thinking. Sometimes people on the internet can be blockheads... I guess that includes me. Sorry.

no problem.

I saw Grand Torino this weekend and it was a breath of fresh air because
they resisted making the characters speak this bullshit, made up PC talk.

Excellent movie BTW

I guess I've never had the impression to begin with ebrown.

I never would have known that it was a common impression to have, which leads me to believe that it's not a common impression at all, but likely something you need to work out for yourself.