Do you think political correctness can backfire?

Answer 1

It already has. It's nearly impossible to keep up with all the terms and changes, and some people are just plain offended by politically correct terms. We are self-segregating without being derogatory, creating categories to put people in based on differences.

Answer 2

It always does, look at what used to be acceptable in the 80's and see if you could still get away with saying it now.

Like the words for people with disabilities. You can't say handicap, retard or spastic now without practically going to jail, but these used to be the terms used.

Apparently it is not PC to say that you are brain storming when you are writing down ideas, you have to say its a thought shower. what idiot came up with that! How is it offencive!

The fact is what is politically correct today, will not be forever so yes it can definitely backfire. It used to be fine to call people that are mixed race half caste for goodness sake! It was also at one point OK to say coloured but its not any more.

Once the term has a negative meaning attached to it, it becomes offencive and is therefore changed.

Answer 3

Political correctness is, in essence, an attempt to shift power from the strong to the vulnerable. On the surface, this seems to be a worthy cause, but it is undoubtedly the most insidious, dishonest philosophy to afflict Western culture. Its defenders claim that its aim is to spread greater tolerance, but its effect has been to stifle free speech, snuff out debate and to form a consensus that is intolerant of any views that are non-PC.

Truth, reason and honesty are forced to take a backseat to opinions that are emotionally satisfying. The rich and powerful are automatically wrong and the weak and vulnerable automatically right. This wretched mindset informs every level of public debate in the UK, creating a simplistic four legs good, two legs bad mentality. By venerating weakness and victimhood in this way, we are helping to create a therapeutic state, whereby we believe ourselves to be fundamentality vulnerable creatures in need of constant support and protection from the authorities. Not only has this contributed to the nanny state we suffer under in Britain, but it informs the fearful, suspicious, fragmented and unfriendly society we live in.

Answer 4

Yes! The handicapped, the races, the cultures, etc. are always changing the name of what they consider appropriate--sometimes it's hard to keep up.

The mentally challenged, the physically challenged, the hearing impaired, the vision impaired, etc. (I don't even know if those are the politically correct names now).

Answer 5

Yeah. Political correctness sucks nard.

Answer 6

i think what you're asking is if one trys so hard to be politically correct that they only end up using even worse terms, then yes, it can backfire.
It really boils down to your intentions and your knowledge of the group or ideas of which you are speaking.
i.e., it may or may not be PC to call a group of people Black or Hispanic or African American or Latin American, and so on

Answer 7

No!
To those of you who don't understand the correct 'terms' I think it's pretty obvious if you are going to offend someone.
There is nothing wrong with being 'PC' and it sickens me to hear ignorant idiots talk about how it is wrong and destroying us. There is nothing wrong with being 'PC', there IS something wrong with being homophobic, racist, sexist etc. Deal with it.

Answer 8

It already has proven to backfire.

Answer 9

Yes. Yahoo keep removing my questions on how to make an A bomb

Answer 10

those are probably the two most annoying words in the modern world