Very often used term in this forum and beyond. However I'm not entirely sure what people mean when they use it, and I can't find it in my dictionary-so can we get a definition for it?
2006-07-20 17:41:02 · 8 answers · asked by richy 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If political correctness is about NOT using terms that would offend people, does this mean being against PC means being in favour of ALL insults being common currency?
2006-07-21 14:09:22 · update #1
There is no standard defnition.What is political correctness depends on political parties and their policies.What is political correctness for one party may not hold good for other.Absolute eradication of differences is not possible.
2006-07-20 18:19:08 · answer #1 · answered by leowin1948 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As other people have noted, it is to not to offend any group or segment of society with your actions or choice of words. However, it is a lot more all encompassing than first appears. It is a basis of equal contribution from all segments of society, the removal of aspects that may offend etc.
For instance to be politicaly correct, you shouldn't refer to the Police as Policemen, but Police Officers.The same with Firemen. Thats because it is (apparently) insinuating that the role is only for men.
Political correctness is the same sort of mentality that believes you shouldn't have a flag, or be openly patriotic as it may offend foreigners. It is responsible for demanding that there is equal numbers of all ethnic and gender groups in the workplace, regardless of ability and so on.
Another example is the change of calling the Christmas lights put up in cities and towns to 'holiday lights' ads the word Christmas offends some
My own opinion is that it is a nice and fluffy idea, but in practise its unworkable. Also the people advocating political correctness to such extremes are mostly more fired up about the topic then the people who are 'oppressed'.
Still, it sure sucks to be a hetrosexual white man these days doesn't it?
2006-07-21 04:25:13 · answer #2 · answered by Caffeine Fiend 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Political correctness is a term generally used to disparage efforts to raise awareness about and eliminate social and political biases in language and other forms of representation. The term also appears in the adjectival form politically correct (often abbreviated PC). While it frequently refers to a linguistic phenomenon, it is also extended to cover political ideology and behavior.
Or basically: A trend that wants to make everything fair, equal and just to all by supressing thought, speech and practice in order to acheive that goal.
2006-07-21 00:44:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's going completely out of your way to phrase everything you say or write in a way that has no chance of offending any member of any ethnicity, race, gender, class, etc. It doesn't work well because a) It's impossible and b) you end up making yourself look ridiculous.
2006-07-21 00:45:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's my nemesis! I can't stand PC or PC people and I love to spend my days being as politically incorrect as possible
2006-07-21 04:23:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means to phrase something or give something a name that does not offend certain groups.
Example: N!gger (not politically correct) African or black is politically correct.
2006-07-21 03:10:18 · answer #6 · answered by Munster 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Political correctness is the scouge of the 21st century, P.C people want to ban golliwog dolls so you dont offend blacks, ban tom and jerry because of the violence, etc. etc its crazy.
2006-07-21 01:06:52 · answer #7 · answered by gordon-21up 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means not to offend anyone in anyway. Like calling black people "African American" instead of "black".
Although i think we all know what george bush calls them! Am i right? Am I right?
2006-07-21 00:45:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋