Is political correctness a blight on modern society, or the misuse of PC the REAL blight?

Question

I mean, I'm deaf and prefer to sign, having a very unclear voice. Like other deaf people I don't like people calling us deaf and dumb. However, some PC fatheads prefer to call us stupid things like "Aurally challenged" or "Hearing impaired". We just want to be called DEAF. Let's call a spade a spade. Deaf is deaf. but we're not dumb. However, this is just an example.

I hate it when PC goes too far. I prefer plain speaking. If a person is gay, then just say gay, not make up words as not to offend people.

"Not offending people"... a noble sentiment, but i think some people don't know where to stop. is this the REAL blight?

All answers accepted. If you don't want to be PC, fine by me. If you want to be "careful", fine by me. Just don't go overboard, either way, please.

Thanks.

Answer 1

There's a very fine line between political correctness and plain stupidity. I agree with your points about deafness.

They don't actually consult people to see whether it offends them.

For example, 'brain storm' of all phrases was targeted by the overzealous PC twits. Who's it going to offend? After asking the group in question (not before replacing it and drilling into our heads that the old term was not PC), they weren't bothered.


So the PC replacement is - was 'mind map' but now that's offensive to somebody so we're going to call it a 'spider diagram', It isn't a spider diagram.

There are three levels.
1. Offensive - where you use derogatory terms.
2. Correct - calling a spade a spade but foregoing any intention to offend someone.
3.Over-correct - all this PC hype where you can barely express an opinion about a minority without being labelled as a bigot by a load of ignorami.

I can't remember the phrase in Latin but:
All things in moderation.


So in other words, PC should be used to counteract 1., not to swing towards 3. I mean, if a word is blatantly offensive then, by all means, come up with something better. However, if people get offended by certain things...hard cheese.

Answer 2

Part of the problem of PC is that, in theory, it is the shifting of power to the powerless. When hearing people 'change' the way they relate to those who are 'deaf', they are essentially trying to alter their social position of power by recognizing those who have been socially marginalized, which means that they have labored under an absence of power.

Where it goes wrong is in seceeding ALL power from one side to another, like having to call all deaf people 'aurally challenged'. Instead of simply acknowledging that deaf people have the option of being called something else, some are afraid that the 'stigma' of the word 'deaf and dumb' is completely wrong.

Also, some people use PC as a way to 'attack' others who are gaining power and notice. A person who calls every woman 'miss' can be as bad as a person who calls every woman 'dame' simply because they are also subjecting a single standard to EVERY person. Likewise, a previously put-upon group can also perform reverse-discrimination simply by saying that 'everyone who calls us 'deaf and dumb' is stupid and callous'. Where PC is an attempt to 'balance' a wrong, it can also be used to create a wrong.

The best way to be 'safe' is to be open and receptive to each situation. Those who want to be called 'deaf' can be called deaf, while those who prefer to be called 'aurally challenged' can be so designated. Substituting one word for another for the entire group, instead of on an individual basis, undercuts the entire premise of what being PC is meant to accomplish.

Answer 3

I'm sure the massive use of PC offends people more than just simple words, I mean, as long as the words somebody uses arn't offensive like as you said just deaf, not "deaf and dumb", there should be no problem.
Also, some people get offended by words that arn't actually offensive and then PC really kicks in and everybody has to avoid the specific words.

Answer 4

i think the pc thing has gone way to far. i agree with you call a spade a spade. i'm short, not height challenged, vertically impaired, or of limited stature, just plain old short. does it hurt my feelings or do i feel ashamed to be short? no! it's the truth and it's not going to change short of a miracle from god.

i do think that the pc thing had "good intentions" in the beginning such as the deaf and dumb example you gave. the idea was to drop the dumb portion of the phrase so as to not offend anyone as you are when you are referred to in that way. but people seem to want to make sure that everyone around them know that they don't want to offend anyone, that they take it to the extreme and categorize everyone. i mean just cause you are deaf, doesn't mean you are dumb, i know quiet a few hearing people who meet the criteria of dumb, but you don't hear anyone calling them hearing and dumb, do you?

Answer 5

i think people have taken the whole PC thing out of context.... when i was growing up in the 70's - people were VERY PC -- however PC meant PERSONALLY CONSIDERATE!

yes, you are deaf, your hearing is not challenged or impared - IT'S NOT THERE :) i had the plesure of working in a hotel that had a conference for the deaf community - it was really neat! the people were awesome. a friend who teaches sign even gave me some handouts for the staff to be able to say hi, good (time of day) how are you, i don't understand, can you write that please.... stuff like that. sure i learned other words too -- just like in any other language -- the cuss words and slang are a hoot!

God bless!!

Answer 6

I agree with you that political correctness sometimes goes a bit too far. It's not necessary to tip on your toes around people and make up new terms for things if the old terms are not insulting. Of course it's good to avoid insulting people and I understand that people are just trying to use respectful terms in order to not offend anyone, but things can get a bit too PC sometimes.

I think political correctness is good up to a limit. Overdoing it is not good, it only raises the bar on what is considered offending, so who knows how things will end up eventually.

Answer 7

I think the real blight on society is the fact that discrimination and prejudice exist. PC is a way to try to fix this. While people might not always be happy with the methods, I personally think it's better to be careful about potentially sensitive issues than go around feeling that it's okay to use terms tha tmight hurt people's feelings.

Answer 8

Political Correctness is the Conservative way of censoring free speech and bullying Americans into thinking like Conservatives. Look at what the GOP and Conservatives have done to Sesame Street and other kids' shows,and look how Conservatives have literally murdered Christmas by bullying people into saying "Happy Holidays". We can no longer go the Liberal route-which is exercising our right to free speech. No,the Cons have taken away our rights to free speech and are punishing us for trying to have rights. While the Liberals keep fighting to protect America,the Cons keep slamming their iron fists into our faces and forcing us to be politically correct 24/7.

Answer 9

I know people are pc to not offend. But I find it incredibly offensive.
I used to like reading newspapers with off beat points of veiw. Nowadays everyone is afraid of calling a spade a spade.

Answer 10

The idea behind PC is tactfulness but you are absolutely right about this "effort" being taken to ridiculous and insulting extremes. I feel for you and share in your sentiment. I refer to you as "deaf" (not DUMB). Hearing impaired isn't too bad either, do you think?