Why does political correctness exist?

Question

It does nothing but slow us down.

Answer 1

Politicians want as many votes for themselves as possible. To do this they need to offend as little people as possible.
Simple as that.

Answer 2

That's a tough question, and I had a first-hand view of history as it developed. It must be really staggering to someone from another country, or a younger person who's just always lived in a world where you have to constantly watch everything you say lest you give offense.

You could look at it in different ways.

Perhaps it's just a cultural trend. In the 19th century, for instance, discussing sex at all was virtually unthinkable. Today, that seems quaint. There's been no massive conspiracy to create that change in attitude, but norms have slowly shifted over time, in response to other changes in society, and here we are. The same could be said of political correctness. Our society has changed - sometimes slowly, sometimes in almost revolutionary fits - since the Civil War, and we've gone from openly denigrating certain people, to offering those same people special defference in many areas. That defference has spread, formally and informally, to the use of language.

It could also be seen as part of a political movement. The civil rights movement that started in the 50s swept many people to positions of prominence and power, and has formed a substantial 'base' for the Democratic party, underpinning much of it's political success for the past half-century. People, once they have power, are loathe to give it up, so, even though many of the most important original aims of the movement have been achieved, it continues, and it's leaders are always on the lookout for new goals to strive for, and new outrages to oppose. That's gone on so long that, at this point, a shock-jock's choice of words in describing the hair of an athelete can swing an entire political aparatus into furious action. And, that's Political Correctness.

I'm sure there are many other possible explanations for the cultural phenomenon. The ideals of multiculturalism as articulated in 1970's Canada, for instance. Who knows, exactly. What we do know, is that's here, it's realy, and, like Victorian prudishness, it probably won't be around forever.

Answer 3

Okay, let me try this, although you probably won't get it.

When you call it PC, no one likes it. When you call it common courtesy, or common descency, you get few detractors.

PC, IF you insist, is grounded in the wish of colleges and universities having a desire to re-establish an atmosphere of academia, rather than an atmosphere of warfare. They asked that students be more acrimonious toward each other. Stop spewing some of the hate and animosity.

From the colleges it entered the general public. In theory, it was meant to alleviate some of the confrontation. In reality, it didn't work. From a personal point of view, I can do without it. Get in my face, I'LL GET YOU OUT by whatever means necessary. Then, you'll cry about your freedom of speech, if you can.

From a societal point of view, we all stood to gain if we could have learned from the INTENTIONS of PC, rather than insisting on a right to insult and denigrate without consequence.

Answer 4

Created by people who could find no sane argument on the political view they have taken, so it exist as an excuse for dumb thoughts. Examples - immigrants a.k.a. ILLEGAL aliens, greenhouse effect a.k.a. same weather we have had since 1950's & beyond ( I love the 650 million year change - who did the testing & where is it stored), pollution more than before a.k.a. yeah more cars duh!, poor Katrina victims a.k.a. the same people who have received aid per person of over $400,000. Some of this was spent on roads, & etc, but the victims were the honest taxpayers buying $300 jeans & purses for crooks.

It does slow us down in stopping the abuse by crooks & lazy people.

Answer 5

Political correctness is just the opposite of rude language. It's a good thing. The problem is when people take it to ridiculous extremes.

Answer 6

Communication is a two way street, and It is important to understand how other's understand what you are attempting to communicate to them. We all come from such diverse backgrounds that the listener's experiences may affect how they hear what you are attempting to communicate. It is important to understand how others may "hear" what you say and to be sensitive to this in order to communicate effectively. Political correctness certainly does not mean to be untruthful. . .it just means to be effective in your communication.

Answer 7

Liberals!

Answer 8

Well sort of.

I believe half of it is good manners, common sense. I mean what good would come from calling someone a niqqer or kike or faqqot? (Those are "q"s, just use your imagination)

But I do think that it can go too far sometimes, like referring to illegal immigrants as migrant workers, blurring reality like that.

Answer 9

it does slow down the US, it exists because of th 50+ years of evangelical made for TV ministers and preachers dominating the minds of a religious faction called the right wing or born-again in the GOP, however, their diminishing because the youth were presented with the "Internet" where they could find the scriptures and the facts for themselves, so they don't need some suit looking for their money and support screaming in a big tent anymore,, the education of religion is relative, and growing, Christianity will survive the blow dealt by George W. Bush and his scandalous cronies.

Answer 10

So the liberals can try to force down all the people who speak the truth.

Answer 11

Up to a point, I agree with it, but it can get way out there. I suspect it began when so many discrimination law suits were being filed