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Q: What is political correctness ?
Just interested in what you personally view as a definition?
I liked the following
Washington, D C
2120-September 1, 1945
To: D A MacArthur/C H Nimitz
From: H S Truman
Political Correctness is a doctrine, recently fostered by a delusional, illogical
minority and promoted by a sick mainstream media, which holds forth the
proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of shit by the clean end!
7 years 41 weeks ago in Arts & Entertainment - China
This is an increasingly selfish world. China may be near the bottom, but the West is clearly catching up. Some people, including some in this forum, think they have the right to marginalize, insult, and otherwise behave pretty crappy to others. If PC has a negative conatation, its because it has been abused to the extent that it now undermines the principle it was supposed to represent. At the root of the problem is the word "correct". These days, there is no consensus on "correctness". People raised on foul language and poor manners have completely different ideas about what is correct than what has been classically considered to be "correct". Sometimes, I feel the uncouth have taken the majority position in this world. It is no wonder to me that they look down on "PC". To be "PC" is to be unselfish and empathetic: two rare qualities these days. Qualities that cant be enforced with laws.
Shining_brow:
I'm not so sure about your last statement... (but we've had this type of argument before).
France has the 'Good Samaritan" laws (I'm sure you're happy they use a Biblical reference there!... even though the concept was around long before the Bible was written... IIRC, Hammurabi's Code actually had a similar law). If you're at an accident, and you capable of helping - you must! China has introduced it after the FeiFei incident a couple of years ago.
I think enforcing it does bring about a change in attitude and consciousness. It doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen!
it's a way of the society to tell people (and especially kids) "This type of behaviour is NOT acceptable in a civilised society".
i would suggest that there is a correlation between laws and people's personal attitudes. In Aus, we started recycling in the homes a few decades ago. Obviously there was some dissent (extra costs, extra effort, etc). However, now it's become a mainstream idea and ideology... it's natural to put your recyclables into a recycling bin.
Not smoking in public indoor areas... came into effect a few decades ago. Now, such is so natural, that even here where people do it all the time, smokers tend not to do so, and will go outside (or, at the very least, ask first!)
We can argue whether that's true 'empathy' or just trained behaviour....
xinyuren:
Yet, in spite of these laws on the books, the world continues its decline into decadence. Why? Because laws can't change people's hearts and thoughts. You can teach people what you think is acceptable behaviour, but you cant control how they think. The nurturing of the heart is a personal decision and more people each day are choosing a form of morality (correctness) that is self-serving. A person who follows a set of codes just because they are enforced will seek every opportunity to find the loopholes when it benefits them. In essence, they are no better than outlaws. This is the current stigma attached to the term "PC".
Shining_brow:
I should have emphasised the role of kids, and how laws & behaviour affect kids and their internal beliefs...
But - it begs the question - can empathy and compassion be taught?
xinyuren:
Can we be taught to be unselfish and show empathy? Of course! But that isn't what's at issue here. There is a great gulf between knowing and doing and some people just don't give a damn.
I guess victimhood social justice warriors skipped economics class, hopefully they will a shack left to have a college reunion in 25 years. I hope they appeal and the next judge makes the amount even higher.
The avoidance of form of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize,or insult group of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against
