Question about being Politically Correct?

Question

Why do people get offended if like 98% of the people think that being P.C. is dumb and people should just say the truth? What are we teaching our society and children? I mean, I am not in any way saing we should be rude but...
if a person is short then they are short
if someone is black or white then they are black or white.
if a person is Christian and celebrates Christmas then why do people of other religons get offended when the topic is brought up?
In my English class we just got an assignment where we have to make the childrens book "The Polar Express" politically correct and i am slightly irritated with it. Do you think that we should have to do this assignment or should i just get over it? I know it isn't a huge deal but still...it really bothers me.

Answer 1

1. Don't make up statistics.
2. Just do it and then explain your thoughts on being PC... there may just be a *gasp* lesson to learn.

Answer 2

A few observations about PC and the individual. I think of it like income tax. We all want everyone to pay their fair share, right? But then, we all belong to a particular group that *deserves* special consideration. Maybe we're an ex-military who merits some break. Or maybe we are a single parent who's trying to make ends meet. Or maybe we're paying for a big mortgage. Or maybe we pay state taxes so we shouldn't pay as much federal as someone in Alaska or Nevada. Or maybe we're elderly. Or maybe .... fill in the blanks.

Similarly, being PC is foolish if you can identify some positive element. Tell a Polish joke? Sure. But what if the listener is Polish. Well, then, how about a blonde joke? Funny unless you're blonde. We all have lots of factors about us that distinguish us (in our minds) from others. Make fun of one of those and we suffer.

This takes us to the crux of your question- why do people get upset if Christians celebrate Christmas? I'll try an answer, then I'll give you my opinion. It's not easy being a minority. If you're not Christian and you hear many, many people greeting each other with "Merry Christmas," that only underlines the fact that the majority (Christians) are celebrating an event that you can't/don't participate in.

The flip side isn't so visible- What happens if someone wishies you a Happy Hannukah? Well, nothing, really. You either tell 'em "Same to you" or you remind 'em that you're Christian and the conversation goes somewhere else.

With all that in mind, what rubs me the wrong way is some people who go out of their way to avoid causing anyone social damage. I really don't like anyone going wishy-washy with "Happy Holidays" stuff, even if they don't know what religious background I have. That's knee-jerk PC-ism, not mere social concern for my self-respect.

Etiquette is about not making someone feel bad with the immediate situation; PC-ism is about foolish irrational concerns for everyone's feelings.

Now- about your assignment with "The Polar Express." Find what references you can that might possibly offend someone. Change them. Then point out how the story is weakened. Me, I like the notion that you have to believe in order to hear the magic bell. Very sweet, very childlike. Children operate on a different level than adults do. Though their world is a bit simpler than our grown-up one, it's no less real to them. And the element of believing works, doesn't it? Every year you believe in Santa, you get presents under the tree. There's a very tangible link between your belief and your happiness.

Don't let this bother you. I suspect that since you're here, you're pretty clever. And if you're clever, you're doing well in school. And if you're doing well, you're in a good class. If you're in a good class, your teacher knows what he's doing. I suspect this will work out well. Take care .... -r

Answer 3

Hi -

I don't blame you for being irritated. Making this book Political Correct for whom? Obviously not the Christians. There is no such thing as political correct. If this book was to changed then you just insulted everyone who believes in Christmas. So how is this P.C.? If you change something to make the whites or blacks feel better about themselves then what have you done for the other race.

We need to stop this nonsense about political correctness and treat each individual like they deserve to be treated, whether they are white, black, Christians, Jews, or what ever. Bottom line is that we are all part of the human race and we should reap what we sow.

Good luck with your assignment. I think I would personally refuse to do as it would interfere with by religious beliefs LOL.

Merry Christmas!

T.

Answer 4

I totally agree with you. What does it teach you by making "The Polar Express" politically correct? That is the problem with America today. We try to be politically correct in all aspects which in turn normally goes against the majority. I understand that we are a nation that is accepting of all race, religion, and cultures and I am proud of that. However, by being politically correct about EVERYTHING I think we are losing the importance of what our forefathers were invisioning and when they made the Declaration of Independence.

We as a nation need to quit looking at the little picture and start looking at the big picture. What might seem wrong for one might be worse for many later on or what might be right for one doesn't mean it's not right for everyone else. I think being a citizen of the United States of America means what is best for our country as a whole not what is best for me individually or we would be called the Individuals of America.

Answer 5

Using the "Polar Express" is idiotic, BUT... being P.C. is the right thing to do. Calling someone black is really a misnomer - their skin ISN'T black. Their insides AREN'T black. Their characteristics and attitudes aren't black. Nothing's black about them. It also says nothing about where they're from. Calling us white is the same thing - we're not white like paper. Bringing up the issue of Christmas in the midst of a Jewish crowd is inflammatory, just the same as calling Christians bible-thumpers. We all need to watch our tongues.

Answer 6

PC is the worst thing this country has ever come up with, however, if you are in a class and that is the assignment you have no choice. It is stupid and insensitive but there it is. The teacher should be called out to their superiors. Take it to whomever you have to so the superiors know what is going on in your class. This is as stupid as it gets. People have to take a stand to make this sort of thing stop. You may not be able to get this teacher out for this particular assignment but you should be able to take a stand against such idiocy in the future.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, if you are in school, you have to do the assignments without too much question, but you do raise a good point. I agree that being p.c. is getting out of control. In one hand society wants us to celebrate diversity and then in the other they want us to all be neutrally alike. The key is to do and say what you feel is right for the particular situation.

Answer 8

I agree with you that people are way too sensitive. No one wants to be "that guy" or "that company" that alienates a portion of the population. Even small slips can sink careers.

There is no easy answer and no end in site.

In answer to your question. A significant portion of school is to teach one how to adapt to a work environment. We often have to do things we do not necessarily agree with. As long as it is just irritating I would do it. Save the battles for tasks you find ethically or morally wrong.

Answer 9

You think I'm short!? How could you!?!? I'm not short, I'm vertically challenged!!! You're making me cry. WAHHH WAHHH.

Yeah I agree with you. We are teaching our society and children to be cry baby p*ssies. You know its getting bad when we can't call Christmas trees Christmas trees (holiday tree? come on.) and the Easter bunny an Easter bunny.

Regardless, you should probably just suck it up and do the assignment.

Answer 10

your point to your teacher should be that you are in an english class, not a society/social class, and, hense do not feel that you have to make something "politcally correct" in an english class.

Or, you could give a story about how an English teacher, decides to get involed with "political issues" which cleary has nothing to do with english. turn it around and show her how smart you are.

Answer 11

The Juan William tale is very instructive. Juan replaced into fired from nationwide Public television in simple terms because of the fact he suggested his thoughts of problem while adult men in Islamic dress get on an airliner. How straight away we forget the Islamist terrorists who used 3 airliners as people bombs, yelling "Allahu Akbar" as they despatched 3000 harmless individuals to their deaths. Christianity is considered increasingly extra as no longer basically politically incorrect, yet in addition bigoted and hateful. yet, Christians persist in giving Christ's perspectives of homosexuality and abortion. Jesus reported we are blessed while adult men revile us and hate us for his sake. Cheers, Bruce