The Idea of Politically Correctness

[JaniceSW]

As I watch the entertaining political circus this year and watch and read the mainstream media, I have to admit I am thinking that we, as a nation, have become overly concerned with the idea of political correctness.  Is political correctness about being respectful and considerate or has it become limiting in thought and speech?  I have to admit I am starting to lean toward the latter.  It appears that every time someone expresses a view that doesn't meet the "bar" of political correctness, it is suggested that someone needs sensitivity training.

When I read that a school superintendent or principal made the decision that no holidays, including Christmas, will be celebrated in any manner within his school system because not all children could participate, I knew that "correct-speak" and accompanying practices have gone too far!   

[vickysue]

I think politic correctness has been carried way too far.  some times I won't to scream at those that are pushing it here and there . Seems like nobody is happy with anything.  I will not give up my freedom speech to please some one. If I want to say Merry Christmas I dang well am going to. Or Bless you 
We have gone too far in the wrong direction .

[BlackSheepNY]

As I watch the entertaining political circus this year and watch and read the mainstream media, I have to admit I am thinking that we, as a nation, have become overly concerned with the idea of political correctness.  Is political correctness about being respectful and considerate or has it become limiting in thought and speech?  I have to admit I am starting to lean toward the latter.  It appears that every time someone expresses a view that doesn't meet the "bar" of political correctness, it is suggested that someone needs sensitivity training.

When I read that a school superintendent or principal made the decision that no holidays, including Christmas, will be celebrated in any manner within his school system because not all children could participate, I knew that "correct-speak" and accompanying practices have gone too far!   

Amen, sister!  Political correctness simply came in to being because of the whiners of the world, to silence those that dare to speak their mind.  A boot on the neck of "Freedom of Speech."  That'll all change soon. 

[hitch0403]

James 3:7-8New International Version (NIV)

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

[countrygirl12]

As I watch the entertaining political circus this year and watch and read the mainstream media, I have to admit I am thinking that we, as a nation, have become overly concerned with the idea of political correctness.  Is political correctness about being respectful and considerate or has it become limiting in thought and speech?  I have to admit I am starting to lean toward the latter.  It appears that every time someone expresses a view that doesn't meet the "bar" of political correctness, it is suggested that someone needs sensitivity training.

When I read that a school superintendent or principal made the decision that no holidays, including Christmas, will be celebrated in any manner within his school system because not all children could participate, I knew that "correct-speak" and accompanying practices have gone too far!   

We are a nation of total wusses.  You are no longer allowed to have your own opinion.  If you disagree with someone and they are a baby and can't handle you disagreeing they start screaming about being offended and try to get you shut down.  We always had Christmas parties, Valentine Parties, Halloween Parties, and Birthday parties at school and it was something we looked forward to and a lot of fun but they can't do that now because too many idiots are in this country. 

[paints]

When I was in grade school, there was a girl in my class who, because of her family's religion, couldn't celebrate Christmas or Halloween.  So she couldn't participate in our parties. 
The first class party, the teacher had her sit at her desk and read while the rest of the class celebrated. 

By the time for the next party came around, several of us had gotten together with the girl to find out about her religion, and what she was allowed to do, and not do.  We went to the teacher, Mrs. Reed, and asked her to help us figure out how to have our party so that nobody would be left out.

Every party that year, except the first one, everyone in class was included.

If 8 year olds can figure this out, why can't the adults?

[makeblessed]

I think we all just need to be more respectful and tolerant of someone that may have a different view, religion etc. Because someone does not share my views, religion I still give them that respect to believe what they want to believe, it's their choice not mine.I do not like to be judged because of what I believe and try very hard to give that same respect to others, even if I totally disagree with what they are saying or believe.

[hitch0403]

1. What do some believe about truth, and why is their reasoning flawed?
“WHAT is truth?” (John 18:38) That question, cynically posed by Pontius Pilate nearly 2,000 years ago, implies that truth is too elusive to be pursued. Many today would agree. The very nature of truth is under attack. You may have heard it said that everyone makes his own truth, or that truth is relative, or that truth is ever changing. Such reasoning is flawed. The very goal of research and education is to learn the facts, the truth, about the world in which we live. Truth is not a matter of personal opinion. For example, either the human soul is immortal or it is not. Either Satan exists or he does not. Either there is a purpose to life or there is not. In each case, there can be only one correct answer. One is true, and the other is false; both cannot be true.

[elvisdo]

PC = not offending people, which is hilarious because it just offends people when you try to be PC. There's a time and place for it.

[LenoraMinogue]

I'm somewhat torn about the concept of political correctness. I realize it's arisen in reaction to some problems in our society. However, I think making nice-nice all the time can limit the discussion about real issues and obscure truth. It can really go too far.

[countrygirl12]

When I was in grade school, there was a girl in my class who, because of her family's religion, couldn't celebrate Christmas or Halloween.  So she couldn't participate in our parties. 
The first class party, the teacher had her sit at her desk and read while the rest of the class celebrated. 

By the time for the next party came around, several of us had gotten together with the girl to find out about her religion, and what she was allowed to do, and not do.  We went to the teacher, Mrs. Reed, and asked her to help us figure out how to have our party so that nobody would be left out.

Every party that year, except the first one, everyone in class was included.

If 8 year olds can figure this out, why can't the adults?

What "religion" would keep her from participating in a halloween or Christmas party?  I do not agree with Halloween but would not prevent my child from participating in a silly Halloween party in the class at school.

[paints]

When I was in grade school, there was a girl in my class who, because of her family's religion, couldn't celebrate Christmas or Halloween.  So she couldn't participate in our parties. 
The first class party, the teacher had her sit at her desk and read while the rest of the class celebrated. 

By the time for the next party came around, several of us had gotten together with the girl to find out about her religion, and what she was allowed to do, and not do.  We went to the teacher, Mrs. Reed, and asked her to help us figure out how to have our party so that nobody would be left out.

Every party that year, except the first one, everyone in class was included.

If 8 year olds can figure this out, why can't the adults?

What "religion" would keep her from participating in a halloween or Christmas party?  I do not agree with Halloween but would not prevent my child from participating in a silly Halloween party in the class at school.

She was a Pentecostal Christian.

[heypeg]

I agree people need to grow up.

[Smudgyglasses]

I think we need to understand that there are various factors in our life that prevent us from seeing hardships others go through. If being sensitive to this is "too PC", so be it.

[lvstephanie]

I think that trying to be PC was originally meant to show respect for others -- try to view the world from their perspective. However others have used this societal nicety and have co-opted it to be used as a weapon to limit other's speech and beliefs. We now have colleges and universities that have to have "safe zones" to protect students from listening to presenters that the school invited who may speak on controversial topics. Even though that idea is antithesis to what most universities value, which is to open their students' minds to new ideas and ways of thought.

Similarly, I believe that the anit-bullying movement is starting to be hijacked for similar reasons. Although bullying is a problem in many schools, "bullying" is now being defined as hurting another student's feelings. So a student gets an A on a test and proudly shows it off might be cited for "bullying" another student that feels bad about not achieving such a high grade. Or a student talking about his religious views could be a "bully" if those tenants stipulate that homosexuality is immoral.

Some people have argued that this is a result of overly-protective parenting. Parents not wanting their children hurt will protect them by shielding them from those beliefs and ideas that they feel might hurt their kids' feelings. However by doing so, they inadvertently cause their kids to develop thin skins that are offended by any little thing, and believe that the rest of the world owes them that same shield that their parents provided when they were young. It's rather the parents that don't overly-protect their children that will have kids that are more resilient when they do fail and/or get hurt, and can better cope living in the real world of people with vastly different ideas than their own.