Political Correctness

[Admiral Buzzkill]

"Political correctness is tyranny with manners."

A vapid quotation is not an argument.

Most people who complain about "political correctness" are actually complaining about being required to speak reasonably politely and take other people's feelings into account in expressing themselves in order to avoid censure and disapproval. I have little sympathy for that kind of offended privilege.

 

[1001001]

"Political correctness is tyranny with manners."

A vapid quotation is not an argument.

Most people who complain about "political correctness" are actually complaining about being required to speak reasonably politely and take other people's feelings into account in expressing themselves in order to avoid censure and disapproval. I have little sympathy for that kind of offended privilege.

I don't disagree with you (as long as we keep the "most" in there), and I'd like to think I've articulated a reasonable position throughout this thread. That quote was just to get the ball rolling, as they say.



I think it's complicated.

 

[scotpens]

Most people who complain about "political correctness" are actually complaining about being required to speak reasonably politely and take other people's feelings into account in expressing themselves in order to avoid censure and disapproval. I have little sympathy for that kind of offended privilege.

I’m all for speaking reasonably politely and taking other people's feelings into account. But I have little sympathy for those who claim to be offended when the offense is entirely due to their own ignorance.

Link: Water Buffalo Incident

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Most people who complain about "political correctness" are actually complaining about being required to speak reasonably politely and take other people's feelings into account in expressing themselves in order to avoid censure and disapproval. I have little sympathy for that kind of offended privilege.

I’m all for speaking reasonably politely and taking other people's feelings into account. But I have little sympathy for those who claim to be offended when the offense is entirely due to their own ignorance.

That's nice, but it doesn't make much of a point.

 

[FPAlpha]

No one would need political correctness if they would censor themselves and just ask themselves "Is that nice/fitting to say to someone" and the other side not going up like fireworks if someone "insulted" them involuntarily by lack of knowledge or experience.

I think PC has been abused by people who by force of public opinion try to change people according to their views because they can't abide people living their lives with a different focus and outlook so they try and get people to feel bad by pushing PC on it.

Unfortunately i've never met a hardcore PC person when i had a bad day.. i can imagine it would be a great way to relieve stress

 

[Davros]

"Political correctness is tyranny with manners."

Is it really tyranny, if it has no legal consequences?

 

[1001001]

"Political correctness is tyranny with manners."

Is it really tyranny, if it has no legal consequences?

As I said earlier, I just threw that out there to get things going.

Most of my friends would be shocked to see me quoting Charlton Heston...

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Most people who complain about "political correctness" are actually complaining about being required to speak reasonably politely and take other people's feelings into account in expressing themselves in order to avoid censure and disapproval. I have little sympathy for that kind of offended privilege.

I’m all for speaking reasonably politely and taking other people's feelings into account. But I have little sympathy for those who claim to be offended when the offense is entirely due to their own ignorance.

Link: Water Buffalo Incident

Oh geez.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Most people who complain about "political correctness" are actually complaining about being required to speak reasonably politely and take other people's feelings into account in expressing themselves in order to avoid censure and disapproval. I have little sympathy for that kind of offended privilege.

I’m all for speaking reasonably politely and taking other people's feelings into account. But I have little sympathy for those who claim to be offended when the offense is entirely due to their own ignorance.

Link: Water Buffalo Incident

Oh geez. Good thing VeggieTales had yet to appear:

The students were upset as they took it as the same way as someone calling them monkeys, apes and jungle bunnies. The school felt the same way apparently. But then, why don't folks see the humor in 'Barack the Magic Negro'?

 

[Starbreaker]

I don't care. I mean, I just try to not say stupid stuff like "Look at the Oriental fellow over there" or "Don't Jew me on this deal."

 

[RoJoHen]

I try not to make "Your mom" jokes if I'm not 100% sure the person's mom is alive.

 

[scotpens]

The students were upset as they took it as the same way as someone calling them monkeys, apes and jungle bunnies. The school felt the same way apparently.

Except that “water buffalo” is not, and never has been, used as a slur against blacks.

Jacobowitz explained his choice of “water buffalo” as from Hebrew slang, “Behema,” used by Jews to refer to a loud, rowdy person. He procured several expert witnesses . . . who gave testimonies that “water buffalo” was not a racial epithet against African Americans.

Actually, since water buffalo are native to Asia and not Africa, the term should be a slur against Asians!

I don't care. I mean, I just try to not say stupid stuff like "Look at the Oriental fellow over there" or "Don't Jew me on this deal."

Well, “Oriental” is pretty old-fashioned by now. And I never use “Chinaman” unless I’m telling a dirty joke.

 

[1001001]

I try not to make "Your mom" jokes if I'm not 100% sure the person's mom is alive.

That's interesting that you say that.

My mother died in 1999, and since then, none of my fraternity brothers have ever made a comment about "my mama". And believe me, that was a (sad) staple of our conversations for years...



I'm not sure that qualifies as "politically correct", though...

 

[Gov Kodos]

The students were upset as they took it as the same way as someone calling them monkeys, apes and jungle bunnies. The school felt the same way apparently.

Except that “water buffalo” is not, and never has been, used as a slur against blacks.

Jacobowitz explained his choice of “water buffalo” as from Hebrew slang, “Behema,” used by Jews to refer to a loud, rowdy person. He procured several expert witnesses . . . who gave testimonies that “water buffalo” was not a racial epithet against African Americans.

Actually, since water buffalo are native to Asia and not Africa, the term should be a slur against Asians!

You keep telling them what they should be offended by, let us know how that works out. As to his explanation,

 

[Kestra]

I personally have seen a lot more annoying complaints about political correctness than annoying examples of it.

Totally.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

"Political correctness is tyranny with manners."

Is it really tyranny, if it has no legal consequences?

It has legal consequences if someone claims emotional distress and sues. It also has consequences if your company decides to fire you over the slightest matter (or non-matter) rather than risk ruffled feathers.

 

[JarodRussell]

And when the media completely rips you apart.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

But surely context matters. What if you use racial slurs and/or stereotypes as part of a joke? What if it’s a funny joke?

Whether it is funny or not shouldn't matter. I think I remember at least one case where a parody (if I recall correctly, it was this one) where the lawyers refused to grant distribution rights because it was “not funny”. Wish you luck convincing someone something's funny.

What should matter more is whether you're depreciating the group that the slur is addressing or not.

By the way, can you parody rap music without using racial slurs? I tried once, and I got reproved for using the n-word, but not for using the b-word, which is much more depreciating and offensive in this context.

 

[scotpens]

. . . “water buffalo” is not, and never has been, used as a slur against blacks.

Jacobowitz explained his choice of “water buffalo” as from Hebrew slang, “Behema,” used by Jews to refer to a loud, rowdy person. He procured several expert witnesses . . . who gave testimonies that “water buffalo” was not a racial epithet against African Americans.

You keep telling them what they should be offended by, let us know how that works out. As to his explanation,

You can guffaw all you like. That doesn’t change the facts.

 

[Cyke101]

I personally have seen a lot more annoying complaints about political correctness than annoying examples of it.

I think I found my new facebook status update (attributed to you, of course)

I don't care. I mean, I just try to not say stupid stuff like "Look at the Oriental fellow over there" or "Don't Jew me on this deal."

As an Asian, I can honestly tell you that both terms are still being used semi-frequently today, though I have a look of shock whenever I see someone younger than the age of 35 use them.