Political correctness--Are people really that easily offended?

Question

In today's politically correct society, almost every day you hear or read about someone or some group that is throwing a fit because they were offended for some reason or another.

Are these people really this offended or are they just taking advantage of our politically correct society to get attention for themselves? I know that making racist or anti-religion comments aren't nice, but you'd think that people would just get over it. What ever happened to "Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me?" That's what the teacher taught us in school.

Answer 1

It depends on the person and how connected they are to "common thought."

It's the person vs people debate. Most people like to think of themselves as individuals, which they kind of are.
But most people also prefer to just "go along with it."

If something is considered offensive, people are going to take offense to it UNLESS it's from someone that they're friends with. Then you have a chance of a laugh or something else.

If it's someone you don't know, they're immediately intimidating because you have no idea what kind of person they are.

So yeah, people are easily offended -but some aren't.
Either they don't care, ignore most issues, or maybe they transcend typical guidelines, ideas and boundaries by always being an individual, but not an anarchist.

Maybe if you're a very sincere person or talented actor, or both, you could be offensive in a way that's funny and it's very easy for people to see you're not serious-and then give them a taste of the real you as a good person.

Still, words have meaning, and meaning gives us our sense of reality. Without it, who would care about living and dying, let alone sticks and stones and broken bones?

Answer 2

That, my friend, is definitely an unanswerable question. What this nation cant understand, is that we're all people. ALL people. We have these dreams of other nations and groups of people as being these political monsters and tough guys...when they're actually not much different than we are.
This type of anti-group "offenses" are just words, right? One could say that. But these "groups" in our society who teach tolerance and say that people can be easily "offended" by comments that go against their particular group can just get over it. The truth hurts sometimes, ya know? The phrase, "You cant handle the truth!" could come into play. In this world of confused thinkers and mixed up societies, people search for answers. Simple answers that cannot be answered by any man. Tolerance = tearing the country to pieces. Period. And as for these people being offended, thats bull. This nation was founded on a very stable, God- based society. And lo and behold! The first Hindu prayer was said in Congress about 2 months ago, and no one knows about it because the government doesnt want a soul to know. And now, look at us...we're worried about foreign religions and groups being offended by comments. But my point is this nation is like a girl picking flowers with the enemy while the nation itself is being torn to pieces.

Answer 3

The problem is that words have real material consequences. Emotional abuse (a sort of individualized harrassment) isboth a legal defense and grounds for divorce. It is well known in the education field that students who are told that they are smart will perform better than students who do not receive encouraugement. Powerful speech making was a significant part of what made the Nazi apparatus come together so well, so fast. Words have real consequences, and the only way to get people to stop using hurtful words is to call attention to them. That's not the same thing as having a fit, or "taking advantage" of something.

I'll give one more example. The word "politically correct" was invented by the right, primarily in college campuses on the East Coast (Yale, if I recall correctly). This word was originally used to poke fun of activists who were trying to get rid of words like "handicapped" and replace them with words like "disabled." But then the right took the word and started inventing a whole bunch of "political correctness" that the left never asked for ("vertically challenged" for tall, "temporally challenged" for the elderly). That is to say, the right created political correctness. And by creating, along with the phrase, a set of "PC" words that no reasonable person would actually want, they were able to brand anyone who wanted to stop hurtful, racist, sexist, etc. language as another "PC" lover. And, thus, the word "political correctness" was a tool that was ble to cause direct, negative, material consequences on a group of people. Powerful stuff, words are.

Answer 4

Political correctness is just a way to censor peoples thoughts and speech. The supposed justification of not offending people is merely a smokesceen for prejudice. The politically correct crowd, which worries so much about offending certain people, has entire segments of society that it is not only permissible to offend, but which it regards as having an obligation to insult, ridicule and hate.
Consider, it is politically incorrect to insult Muslims, hatred of Christians is required by the same people. It is politically incorrect to offend poor people, hating business people is required. Denigrating criminals or terrorists is politically incorrect, hatred of police and the military is mandatory.
If you think I may be exaggerating just a little, go to any website that caters to the politically correct crowd, you'll be exposed to a torrent of "hate speech" that is inconceivable to those of us raised in an era when polite discourse of even controversial topics was expected. For that matter go to any politically correct campus and listen to the professors who preach PC speech when they discuss any person or group on the unofficial hate list.
Political Correctness is just a cover for a philosophy of hatred, prejudice, and bigotry. But, since the targets of the hatred and prejudice are all groups that the PC practitioners don't belong to, they regard the viciousness directed at their victims as wholly justified.
In Orwell's 1984 they had a daily 'five minutes of hate" directed at their enemies. Today, for the PC crowd, the hate is spewed 24/7.

Answer 5

Personally, I think that political correctness is the most stupid thing I've ever heard of. It's basically all about putting everyone into one, neutral category. People should learn to celebrate diversity & differences. For instance, during Christmastime, it should be okay for a Christian to say "Merry Christmas!" to a Jewish person without offending him or her, because the season is about celebrating. Shouldn't one just be happy that a stranger or associate is taking the time to wish them a nice day? Also, since when does Sesame Street have an effect on childhood obesity? The changed Cookie Monster into Veggie Monster! I mean, seriously, how ridiculous is that?

Answer 6

Political correctness does have a purpose, but I do think for the most part...it's abused by attention hounds.

It's really bad because for instance...if someone really IS being sexually harassed...their brushed off as if they're making a mountain out of a mole hill ALL BECAUSE 10 people before them, screamed and cried that they were offended by someone's 2007 Victoria's Secret calendar, or by a blonde joke they overheard.

It's meant to give the minority a voice (not minoriTIES...but anyone in the minority) but...some have claimed they're in the minority when they truly aren't, just to get attention...and it's WRONG when common sense is pushed aside for the ridiculous.

Answer 7

Well, despite what some people say, words do hurt people. The number of people who have been hurt, or even driven to suicide, by verbal abuse and name-calling is bigger than you think. Undoubtedly, some people just want attention, but the fact is that some are genuinely offended and upset by others insulting and putting down aspects about themselves that they have no control over. There's nothing wrong with speaking out to demand a little respect and equality.

Answer 8

Political correctness is evil.Yes some people are that freaking wussy.I wish we could take all the ******* whining because I said merry christmas and put them back in some tyrant country with no freedom of speech.They wouldn't be throwing such a fit,mostly because they wouldn't survive.

Answer 9

Often the people saying these things are public figures, such as Imus or Dog the bounty hunter, or Bill O'reiley. When in the public spotlight, you are held to a higher standard, and rightly so.....you cannot make on air comments that are broadcast to millions of people. Why? Because of sponsoring and advertisements......someone else pays your bills. When you make racial slurs, regardless of your intent, you are damaging both your credibility as well as that of the television/radio station that airs your program.....and you are potentially damaging the ads that appear on that program. If Band-aid pays for ads on your station during Imus' program, when he says racist things, not only are the station and Imus in jeopardy, but also Band-aid if they continue to be associated with that program, which is why they often do not, which is why people in the public often are punished or lose their jobs over offensive talk.

Answer 10

No they are probably really offended. This makes me laugh. My dad always said that it doesn't matter what anyone says about you. What is it that someone could possibly say about you that is going to affect your daily life?? Nothing. Ya they might hurt your feelings, but get over it. It's not that big of a deal. Especially if it isn't even personal. If people really get offended because someone disagrees with their opinion than they are just a baby... It's so sad what this society is becoming... a bunch of wooses... haha