Politics & Current Events
nkjacobsma
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Political Correctness-What even is it?
I hear Trump and Carson supporters being sick of "political correctness." Neither have bothered to explain what they mean by political correctness and why it is bad. I feel like it's a made-up term and, I often see it being used as a blanket term anytime a politician handles issues with minorities. But, shouldn't politicians strive to steer clear of offending minorities, who are often marginalized enough, by being "politically correct?" Don't the vague policies of being "politically correct" often coincide with just being professional? The term comes up often in the Presidential race, and is often used as an attack on the "career politicians" and Democrats. In light of this, what do you all think about the term?
Re: Political Correctness-What even is it?
My definition of being "politically correct" is striving to not say something that others might find offense in. But it doesn't just refer to politicians. And while, normally I would say political correctness is the right course of action, it isn't always and the idea is much more thousands shades of gray than black and white. Because some people can be offended by anything. I'm sure we've all met someone like that!
I don't at all or even mostly associate political correctness with race, though race or gender are certainly some of the most "popular" groups the term is applied to. But it really can refer to any group.
Here is a silly...yet TRUE...example of that. When senior George Bush was President, he made an offhand comment that he didn't like broccoli. People actually FLIPPED OUT...especially broccoli growers, but it wasn't just them. So, there ya go. The group "people who like broccoli" were offended that the President made a "politically incorrect" statement that he didn't like broccoli. There was a big deal made that he needed to apologize for his statement and, if I remember correctly, I think he did.
Yes, @nkjacobsma, I also think that basic political correctness is professional behavior. As to what Trump and Carson mean, I'm not sure either. And as to Trump saying he is sick of being politically correct, my biggest question is, "Wow, when exactly did that happen? Because I completely missed it. When has he ever held his tongue to not offend someone?"
It's also when a person or people cannot address a true and legitimate concern because it may "offend" someone. For example, The PP who mentioned the terrorist attack terminology is correct.
NOT being PC isn't a license to insult or to hurt feelings AKA Trump. But rather, not being PC is a license to discuss a legitimate concern even if the truth on which that concern is based may make some people uncomfortable.
People wrongly think that if a topic makes them uncomfortable, even if it's grounded in truth, it ought not be discussed at all and those who do discuss it are seen as outside the acceptable norm.
Being kind, polite, and diplomatic is important. But that does not mean people cannot speak the truth.
@short+sassy - that is so funny about the broccoli growers. I can totally see a bunch of preschool moms getting all fired up about the President encouraging kids to eat junk food or something.
The thing that I take issue with, is that Trump, Carson, Cruz, and some other candidates act like they are fighting a war against "the epidemic of political correctness" (actually terminology I have seen in several articles). I just don't perceive there to be an "epidemic." If there was, politicians wouldn't talk about anything at all.
So now I had to go look up the Broccoli Incident, lol. It happened in 1990. I think it actually started when he banned broccoli from Air Force One and when he was asked why, he said:
"I do not like broccoli. I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it, and I’m president of the United States, and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli." - George HW Bush
In response, some CA farmers got together and sent 20K pounds of broccoli to the White House. He jokingly offered the shipment to the Prime Minister of Poland during a state dinner held around that same time.
I think hyper PC is also the schools and principals that are pulling all references to any holiday but then schools are having kids write/learn about calligraphy by writing in Arabic "There is no god but Allah."
Stories here: And these are just TWO examples.
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/12/16/oh-good-grief-school-district-censors-charlie-brown-christmas.html?intcmp=hplnws
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/12/15/students-practice-calligraphy-by-writing-there-is-no-god-but-allah.html
If we're doing the whole "separation of church and state" thing, then schools needs to be uniformed in doing that. It's considered PC to promote one faith over another? This is PC run amok. We're afraid of promoting Christianity, but instead will bring another reference to god into the public schools because we want to show our sensitivity to another religious group?
Kids of many faiths go to many schools and if we're going to have the Charlie Brown Christmas read as written, then let's also have the Arabic calligraphy assignment. But let's not cut out one religion and prevent its adherents from expressing themselves and then welcome another religion.