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What is politically correct?
Webster’s definition is: of, relating to, or supporting broad social, political and educational change, especially to redress historical injustices in matters such as race, class, gender and sexual orientation.
Why is it that we have to walk on eggshells, always afraid of offending people? I am not saying it is ok to be rude, but people take things too personally sometimes. What is the difference between the words mentally-challenged and retarded? Why should I say African American rather than black? Not every black person is African American and not every African American is black. That is a terrible assumption. I am certainly not trying to offend anyone by saying he is or she is a certain color. The words we use are not the problem. It its the tone and context they are used in that causes trouble.
An important thing to realize is that most of the time people do not intend to offend; they are just unaware of the in-fashion, politically correct term of the week. It seems like this stuff changes all the time. How are we supposed to know?
It boggles my mind that people are self-censoring with politically correct terms in a country with free speech. I am not justifying being hateful, but I most certainly believe in the free marketplace of ideas. The thought of anyone censoring speech or using politically correct terms is unacceptable. Whenever someone says something I do not like, I just remember that his or her right to say it is a right that we both share.
The whole concept of being politically correct has gotten way out of control. It creates a group of victims where sometimes none existed. People get offended by certain words because society and the media tell them it is wrong. If someone says a word but did not intend to offend you, why would you take it personally?
My roommate told me that during LGA training she was told that minorities cannot be racist. Minorities can only be prejudice. This is because it would not be politically correct to call a minority racist. That is one of the most absurd things that I have ever heard. How is calling a racist a racist incorrect based on the fact he is or she is from a minority? It does not matter what race you are. We are all people. Anybody can be racist.
The whole politically correct concept is causing more trouble than it is worth. It does not make anyone more tolerant or understanding. People change their word choice because they are afraid of getting slapped on the wrist, not because they actually feel that way. If anything, it highlights our differences even more because we invest so much energy into being politcally correct. If we are so carefully editing our words to suit the wants of others, we may as well toss our First Amendment rights out the window.
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