What is political Correctness?

[R1Geezer]

I can do no better than the winner of the Uniiversity of Arkansas competition to answer the above question: "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of Sugar by the clean end. "
What is your defiinition?

[Llaura16]

Political correctness is checking all actions and verbal communication is not offending anyone but usually goes overboard and squeezes all the fun out of everything

[anotheoldgit]

Political correctness is making sure one doesn't offend the ethnic minorities while at the same time infuriating the indigenous population..

[anotheoldgit]

Come on Geezer you can do better than that, or are you being held back by political correctness?

[R1Geezer]

OK I'll have a go: "Political correctness is the art practised by irrational people to react hysterically on behalf of someone or some group that they believe should be offended by certain remarks and attitudes" - How's that AOG? not sure it's better than the above though!

[society]

AOG's interpretation is explains it best IMO.

[anotheoldgit]

Geezer, yes a little deep, but I can see what you mean.

[sandyRoe]

Do onto others as you would have them do onto you.

[Gromit]

Political correctnessis just an extension of the general rules of being polite and good mannered.

It is mostly a good thing, but can be over zealously applied. It can spoil the 'fun' for sexists, homophobes etc who like to be nasty to people they have never met.

[R1Geezer]

yes sandy, what has that got to do with PC?

[sandyRoe]

" What has that got to do with PC?" Everything, I'd say. PC is about treating other people with respect. As you would want to be treated yourself.

[Kromovaracun]

Does anyone else find this thread slightly adorable?

[sp1814]

Political correctness is an extension of the politeness and reserve which used to be the bedrock of English manners but which have been eroded over the years due to the 'I say what I want and I don't give a damn who I offend' attitude of those on the political right.

Political correctness is a means by which minorities, women, the disabled and gay can go about their daily business without being referred to as c00ns, tarts spazzes, p00fs and dykes.

All in all - a pretty sound ethos.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.politicall...rrect.me.uk/fight.htm

This site says it all.

[nightmare]

Isn't political correctness an attempt to avoid a non-minority group of people taking offence vicariously on behalf of a minority who would probably not even notice or regard any offence as having been intended anyway ?

[eyethenkyew]

"Political Correctness" exists in the minds of those who are totally out of touch with the realities of humanities frailties and so compensate by unrealistic attempts to impose their will on sensible people by attempts at brainwashing them.

[sp1814]

AOG

I would be very wary of that site.

Under the heading 'hate crime', there is the following sentiment:

If ever there was a piece of legislation designed to kill free speech and expression, and cause fear and confusion (just as the Frankfurt School advised) then this was it. While no one in their right mind could argue against the "physical attacks" or "threat of attack" sections, the "verbal abuse or insult" section coupled with the "or any other person" clause opens the floodgates for anyone to claim anything anyone says is motivated by hate when they are probably just expressing their legitimate view or opinion

However, unpalatable as it may be to normal right-minded people, we still live in a society where gay men can be murdered in a public place by people kicking and stamping on their heads.

[jake-the-peg]

Political correctness is simply not imposing labels on other people but letting them decide how they want to be referred to.

It's someting that pretty much everybody on here agrees is the correct thing to do to some extent.

Unless there's someone here that thinks that it's OK to use words n1gger or c00n

So anybody here think they should be able to use those words given how much offence they give?

No - glad you're all so PC

[Answerprancer]

I think the term "politically correct" is pollitically incorrect - I prefer "socially sensitive" ;-)