Has the emphasis on "Political Correctness" increased social tensions?

Question

I grew up laughing at "There was and Englishman, a Scotsman, a Welshman and and an Irishman" jokes. The punchline varied, depending on who was telling the joke, but we were able to laugh at ourselves. Has the denial of humour, at the absurdities of difference, in the interests of political correctness, denighed us a very valuable social safety valve?

Even if one is the target of the joke, it can be a valuable lesson, learnt in an atmosphere of humour rather than hate, a mirror rather than a razor.

Answer 1

Yes. I'd say that Political Correctness has swung from one extreme, namely the right wing view, to an equally extreme and equally Puritanical left wing view.

It's all forms of Puritanism. Someone, somewhere, is worried that you are having fun, and that someone else might get offended by the sound of laughter - so just in case, they ban humour.

Remember, Cromwell famously banned Christmas for much the same pointless reasons.

What we have to watch out for, however, is the Far Reich using the excuse of Political Correctness to form a propaganda campaign whose ultimate aim is to turn the clock back to when the likes of Bernard Manning were considered to be the epitome of humour.

Answer 2

You can still tell those kinds of jokes! Jokes making fun of certain kinds of stereotypes are still acceptable. Jackie Mason does it in a way that is not offensive (most of the time) Lots of comedians joke about the differences between men and women in ways that are not offensive. And you can even make jokes about the differences between black and white culture that are not offensive, for example jokes about how whites are uptight, or blacks are hip. Jokes that are demeaning to a group are no longer acceptable however. I don't think the world is a worse place because it is no longer acceptable to tell n i g g e r jokes, Polack jokes, or Kike jokes that use ethnic stereotypes to suggest that everyone from that group is lazy, stupid or cheap. Those kinds of jokes, which were common when I was a kid, always made me uncomfortable. I disagree that they were a valuable safety valve. I think those kinds of jokes just made it socially acceptable to be a bigot. So what is so bad if it is no longer socially acceptable to be a bigot?

And by the way, have you heard the one about the priest, the minister and the rabbi debating when life begins? The minister says, I think life begins sometime in the third month of pregnancy when the fetus's heart starts beating. That is when the spirit enters the body. The priest says no, life begins at the moment of conception, we can never compromise on that. The rabbi says, no no no, you are both wrong. Life begins when the kids go off to college and the dog dies. That is when life begins.

Answer 3

To answer your question - I would say yes PCism
has gone way beyond what was originally its intent
I think originally it was intended to open up our society to "groups"
who had been segregated previously
Inclusiveness now breeds "society police" that want to regulate
everything and anything we do.
All in a well meaning attempt to diversify everything.

In doing so we are more detached
with less community.
it has had a dehumanizing effect.
We cant really say what we say or mean any more because we're probably gonna hurt someones feelings

honesty goes out the door and instead we have become
phonies with fake smiles and dishonest hearts

Answer 4

it depends whether you are targetted in the joke although some of the jokes were very funny. The thick Irish jokes were probalbly the best, in my opinion. Isn't it the province of comedy to be irreverent and not to be dictated to , hence jokes about fascist dictators.

Answer 5

It's made life a lot worse. People are afraid to say or do anything that may be considered racist or insensitive, even when their intentions are good or just in the name of fun. Political correctness is a cancer on society.

Answer 6

no person likes exchange or distinction while it is composed of society, and its complicated to stay with people who dont share your ideals and pass to such extremes to particular them. the customary public of none muslims will on no account settle for them in Europe. via minority of loopy backwards opressive muslim men and terrorists. each and every person has the final to their very own ideals yet once you pass to a diverse usa to stay their you may abide via their regulations and procedures of existence, Muslims face up to that and characteristic this arrogance approximately them the place they choose to stay in a rustic that doesn't belong to them and run the placement as though its theirs....and then they have the cheek to ***** approximately it. Seperation is each and every so often remarkable. it rather is not any longer our fault that their usa has exchange into inhabitable, that they had their issues and now they have created issues worldwide. there's a reason for Europes hostility , yet i assume its in basic terms much less complicated for muslims to maintain on believing have been all prejudiced and racist rather

Answer 7

I think some people are too quick to call simple courtesy "political correctness." At the same time, I think it's perfectly fine to acknowledge difference.

Answer 8

Yes it has. If anyone is upset by a few jokes they need to grow up.

Answer 9

I remember Pollock jokes. They were funny. Now you can't laugh at anything or anyone. Where did our sense of humor go?

Answer 10

none of me or my friends have been affected by political correctness