SFC Robert Wheeler 689673 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>What does it mean to be politically correct? Why are some people offended by the idea of being politically correct? Is this term still relevant today?<br />These questions came to mind when I was reading a discussion where political correctness was being debated. There seems to be a lot of butt-hurt when people feel that being politically correct is wrong. So, let’s examine the term, “political correct” and move on to its use.<br />Merriam-Webster gives the following definition:<br />“politically correct <br /> adjective<br />: agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.<br />Full Definition of POLITICALLY CORRECT<br />: conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated — political correctness noun <br />See politically correct defined for English-language learners. <br />See politically correct defined for kids.”<br /><br />Here’s a definition by Wikipedia:<br />“Political correctness (adjectivally, politically correct, commonly abbreviated to PC) is pejorative term used to condemn language, actions, or policies as calculated to offend or upset any group of people in society. The term had only scattered usage prior to the 1990&#39;s, usually as an ironic self-description, but entered mainstream usage in the United States when conservative author Dinesh D&#39;Souza used it to condemn to what he saw as left-wing efforts to advance multiculturalism through language, affirmative action, opposition to hate speech, and changes to the content of school curriculums. The term came to be commonly used in the United Kingdom around the same period. <br />Scholars on the political left have said that conservatives and right-wing libertarians such as D&#39;Souza pushed the term in order to divert attention from more substantive matters of discrimination and as part of a broader culture war against liberalism; they have also said that conservatives have their own forms of political correctness, which is generally ignored.”<br />What is important to understand here is the term was coined by the right when societal pressure was building to eliminate sexist or racist words from our language. The right has traditionally felt that they have a right to use whatever language they chose. Any attempt to shame their language has been seen as offensive. <br />So, here’s the issue. There were all kinds of slang terms for race and ethnicity that were used without regard to anyone’s feelings. People thought nothing of using racial slurs and code words. One notable case was a radio personality who referred to a black mayor as a “monkey”. The radio guy could not understand how that word used in reference to a black person could be offensive. <br />People use these offensive words and ideas in their vocabulary all the time and never stop to consider just how offensive and mean spirited they are. If one were to tell them that they were being offensive, they wouldn’t believe it. At first, they might react with a sense of surprise that anyone would complain about their use of terms like “darky, spic, chink etc. Then they become offended because you are telling them what to say. Now, you can chose to believe this is because they don’t get it or you can believe that they are choosing to be rude and offensive deliberately or you can believe that they don’t care about hurt feelings. Being politically correct is largely seen as a negative term because it is critical of someone’s use of words that are offensive. <br />Here’s my thoughts, if you are offended by politically correct speech, then you must be proud of your racism. If you reject multi-culturalism, then you don’t want to be politically correct. If that is not the case then you have to dumber than a post to think you are not hurting someone’s feelings when you use racially charged words. Bottom line here is if you find yourself bristling at the thought of political correctness, you must, in some way, harbor some racist attitudes. 2015-05-22T21:22:34-04:00 SFC Robert Wheeler 689673

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>What does it mean to be politically correct? Why are some people offended by the idea of being politically correct? Is this term still relevant today?<br />These questions came to mind when I was reading a discussion where political correctness was being debated. There seems to be a lot of butt-hurt when people feel that being politically correct is wrong. So, let’s examine the term, “political correct” and move on to its use.<br />Merriam-Webster gives the following definition:<br />“politically correct <br /> adjective<br />: agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.<br />Full Definition of POLITICALLY CORRECT<br />: conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated — political correctness noun <br />See politically correct defined for English-language learners. <br />See politically correct defined for kids.”<br /><br />Here’s a definition by Wikipedia:<br />“Political correctness (adjectivally, politically correct, commonly abbreviated to PC) is pejorative term used to condemn language, actions, or policies as calculated to offend or upset any group of people in society. The term had only scattered usage prior to the 1990&#39;s, usually as an ironic self-description, but entered mainstream usage in the United States when conservative author Dinesh D&#39;Souza used it to condemn to what he saw as left-wing efforts to advance multiculturalism through language, affirmative action, opposition to hate speech, and changes to the content of school curriculums. The term came to be commonly used in the United Kingdom around the same period. <br />Scholars on the political left have said that conservatives and right-wing libertarians such as D&#39;Souza pushed the term in order to divert attention from more substantive matters of discrimination and as part of a broader culture war against liberalism; they have also said that conservatives have their own forms of political correctness, which is generally ignored.”<br />What is important to understand here is the term was coined by the right when societal pressure was building to eliminate sexist or racist words from our language. The right has traditionally felt that they have a right to use whatever language they chose. Any attempt to shame their language has been seen as offensive. <br />So, here’s the issue. There were all kinds of slang terms for race and ethnicity that were used without regard to anyone’s feelings. People thought nothing of using racial slurs and code words. One notable case was a radio personality who referred to a black mayor as a “monkey”. The radio guy could not understand how that word used in reference to a black person could be offensive. <br />People use these offensive words and ideas in their vocabulary all the time and never stop to consider just how offensive and mean spirited they are. If one were to tell them that they were being offensive, they wouldn’t believe it. At first, they might react with a sense of surprise that anyone would complain about their use of terms like “darky, spic, chink etc. Then they become offended because you are telling them what to say. Now, you can chose to believe this is because they don’t get it or you can believe that they are choosing to be rude and offensive deliberately or you can believe that they don’t care about hurt feelings. Being politically correct is largely seen as a negative term because it is critical of someone’s use of words that are offensive. <br />Here’s my thoughts, if you are offended by politically correct speech, then you must be proud of your racism. If you reject multi-culturalism, then you don’t want to be politically correct. If that is not the case then you have to dumber than a post to think you are not hurting someone’s feelings when you use racially charged words. Bottom line here is if you find yourself bristling at the thought of political correctness, you must, in some way, harbor some racist attitudes.

2015-05-22T21:22:34-04:00 2015-05-22T21:22:34-04:00 SFC Joseph James 689685

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think you hit the definitions on the head. Ultimately it&#39;s what you shouldn&#39;t say because it offends people. Well no matter what i say will offend someone somewhere! Forget them. Freedom of Speech Baby!

2015-05-22T21:28:30-04:00 2015-05-22T21:28:30-04:00 Capt Private RallyPoint Member 689705

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I see two side to the dilemma, only one of which is always used. <br /><br />1. I say something that is offensive or demeaning based upon someone&#39;s race, gender, religion, etc. <br /><br />2. I take things that are said and deem them offensive to me.<br /><br />I should not do #1, and people or I should not read into what others say solely to make it a contentious issue.<br /><br />In my opinion both are practiced regularly.

2015-05-22T21:40:37-04:00 2015-05-22T21:40:37-04:00 MSgt Brian Welch 689973

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Seems you used butt-hurt backwards and in an inflammatory way... seems there's actually a lot of people butt-hurt by someone else's language. People aren't "offended" by politically correct speech, they are offended by pompous people that want to define how they can speak. Your examples are limited, political correctness is limitless. Who defines what's acceptable in your PC world? You? Society as a whole? Can I tell you what you say that I find offensive? Would you care?

2015-05-22T23:50:35-04:00 2015-05-22T23:50:35-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 690071

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Political correctness isn’t offensive, but it is damaging to our society as it tends to oppress free speech. I don’t believe anyone should intentionally offend people, but the problem has become what is considered offensive. It seems everything today can and has been twisted to be offensive to someone. Especially when you hear news reports of the US flag being considered offensive. The people that are butt-hurt are those that support the idea of political correctness. I’m not sure if they’re truly offended be nearly everything or they want to use political correctness as a tool to control others.

2015-05-23T00:43:51-04:00 2015-05-23T00:43:51-04:00 2015-05-22T21:22:34-04:00