Has political correctness simply raised new forms of prejuidice that are harder to define?

Question

I think what has happened is we have created a whole host of sub-categories to place people in so we can say that people are: Racist, sexist, homophobic, agesist, extremist. Now it appears that anyone that conveys an opinion that isn't approved as the majorirty approved politically correct one is instnantly categorised into one of these categories and ridiculed.

The purpose of PC was to increase personal freedom and liberty. It appears to me that people are scared to think or express anyhting that challenges general consensus... to me that is not liberty at all and is potentially dangerous. Turning people into robots that follow orders without thought of question.

Answer 1

100% with you.Spot on.

Answer 2

Many years ago laws were passed to protect vunerable minority groups from abuse and ridicule(in my opinion rightly so) and originally the laws were more to do with common sense and courtosy.THEN PC took over and has nothing to do with majority views.It has gone so far OTT it is now creating problems for itself.PC terms as defined by these people who forward them are now being used as offensive and abusive comments and this is not just my view but the view of quite a few people who the laws were designed to protect.I have many friends who are highly educated from all walks of life coloured and from most major religions who did at the time feel the laws were in the main correct but are now saying the laws are ridiculous and do in fact fuel further problems particularly in race and religious relations.Terms of abuse can come in many forms and who decides what is abuse e.g. I can call you SIR and make it a term of ridicule or abuse.On the other hand I can call you a F****ING AHOLE and not in any way offend it all depends on how it is conveyed.Again many of my friends tell jokes both religious and race related and I do with them but according to PC only a black can tell black jokes only muslims can tell muslim jokes etc.This is PC gone mad, a joke is a joke is a joke and again it dosn't matter who tells it IF IT IS FUNNY IT IS FUNNY.IF IT IS RACIST OR INSULTING IT IS RACIST AND INSULTING but who decides.We have become so paranoid we have created more problems than we have solved and if we don't pull back then we will (white,black,christian,muslim,rc etc)prove the most racist person I ever heard(ENOCH POWELL) CORRECT.

Answer 3

Good point. However i think we are led to beleive that PC is the will of the majority, and thus implemented on their behalf.

However i think that PC policies, be they implemented in schools, the workplace, govornment, the media etc are all the work of a minority of leftist/liberal Guardian reading, lentil eating, Harold Pinter worshipping types who are living in their own ideological theme park!

The effect of this has been a massive curb on freedom of speech and expression, the majority have had PC forced upon them by a minority leftist intelligencia in the UK.

So i agree with your sentiments, but disagree that PC views reflect the majority concensus.

Political Correctness can never, by its very definition, increase personal freedom, and i beleive those who claimed it would were lying. By its definition it means we must all adhere to a set of rules laid down by a group of people who insist their way is the only way, and anyone challenging this is wrong...and in many cases will lead to punishment in schools, censure, loss of a job, failing to be employed in a job, social ostracisation etc etc.

We are moving ever further into an Orwellian society. Scratch the surface of a liberal, you'll often find a facist!

Cheers, a good question!

Answer 4

A very good point. Wouldn't it be nice to know the identity of the arbiters of good taste, and we could check up with them each time we speak.

The strange thing is that there is a set of people about whom you get a slap over the wrist if you use the wrong adjective, and others who are fair game for any kind of prejudice and insults like fat people, smokers, people who hunt, fish and carry out a number of non PC pursuits. Wherever will it end. Reminds me of all the books I used to read about the French Revolutions. If you didn't like someone, all you had to do is report that they'd said the wrong thing and they'd be off to Madam Guillotine before you could say nuts!

It IS ok to say nuts. Isn't it?

Answer 5

Frankly, I think there is more rudeness going on since "pc" was introduced than before! Now it is just considered normal to call and overweight person a "fat a*s looser" a woman "a b**ch" a senior citizen an "old fart" . I think I prefer what it used to be "chubby", "chick " and "old lady/man."

Answer 6

ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!

Unfortunately, nobody knows who the censors are, or who the creators of "good taste" are. Therefore, I refuse to subscribe to this mentality. Nobody is going to tell me what to think or how to express myself. I simply treat others as I wish to be treated myself.

Don't you love the new "victim" mentality, where nobody is accountable for their actions anymore, and all shortcomings are everyone else's fault now?

It is also noted that those least able to support themselves just happen to be our most prolific breeders.

Spare me. I want to puke now!

Answer 7

It's all an attempt to stop HARMFUL discrimination. Discrimination will always exist and legislation is one answer to stopping it, but a pretty poor one.

Answer 8

nobody has taken your freedom of speech but if you say something that is blatantly disparaging, anti something and purposely offensive about a certain group of people off course it is natural you are going to get labeled because you proved your self a bigot (intolerant of a group of people)....

you have the right to say anything offensive but society has the right to label you a bigot if it is blatantly meant to cause offense rather than anything positive.

Answer 9

It's ridiculous, and always has been. Have a good day.

Answer 10

Well said.