Politically Correct?

I feel that the term "politically correct" is often used to show a sense of disdain for a behavior most of us do by wrote, which is to say, slant our use of language to prevent offense to those around us. This may be lowering our voice before saying something potentially offensive or using certain terms over others.

As a buzz word in political spheres I often find the term specifically used to defend, by derision, inherently disrespectful or hateful speech, saying such words are perfectly acceptable in polite company if not for the target of those words being offended by them. I deal with this frequently due to being transgender. There are many words that could be used to describe me without offense, "transgender", "transsexual", "trans woman" "woman". However, many individuals insist on words such as "tranny" or "shemale" or "man/he" (intentionally misgendering me) even after being told these words are offensive and treat it as an affront upon them that they should be asked, and quite politely, to refrain from their use and provided with appropriate terms. They use the term "politically correct" as a pillar to rail against to conceal their unwillingness to show common courtesy. In many conversations with hundreds of other trans women this is a very common shared experience.

When it comes to speech being slanted in order to not offend, I'm much more a fan of people, perhaps, overdoing it than people not doing it at all. That said, i've found in many situations where people hmm and haa or stumble over what terms to use its due to ignorance and discomfort due to said ignorance. As such I find simply helping them out by telling them what terms you prefer or won't be offended by resolves the issue and things move forward much more smoothly.

Phortis Nespin wrote: SeanChing

RE-READ what I wrote. Then argue with yourself.

Please don't do that to Sean -- please be more clear, for I didn't quite comprehend either ...

Lying is not exactly the thing to do. Saying things in such a way as not tu hurt the innocent or the well-intentioned ... that has some merit.

Truth is a three-edged sword.

I'm not entirely sure what you were saying either Phortis...sorry...maybe I'm just sleepy :huh:

And I did re-read it, as you instructed Sean to do, and I still wasn't sure what you were saying

Sean, Phortis (and everyone)...sometimes it's good to stop and think about how we're coming across. Sometimes I have been guilty of coming across aggressively in posts...when you have strong beliefs about something, or strongly disagree with someone else, we can accidentally sound much more aggressive than we usually would...which is why it's important to check the tone before writing something.

There is a difference between questioning someone's beliefs and attacking them...it's a fine line sometimes and can be hard to tell the difference...

If you take a strong-willed post and add bold type to particular points, or capitals, it PROBABLY comes across as more aggressive.

If you take a strong-willed post and add emoticons to it, it probably comes across a little more friendly... :silly:

Which of those would you feel more inclined to respond to in a respectful and co-operative manner?

Just some food for thought...


If that's not enough food and anyone wants pudding, may I also suggest revisiting this sermon ?

It seems a lot of people tie politically correct with just being polite. Personally I view them as different activities.

Sometimes I think there might be inequality in politically correct.

We're encouraged to think before we talk (which is GREAT! ) but sometimes it puts people in weird situations. Today it's all about science and if a Christian (or Muslims, etc.) wants to talk about their ideas about creation it's a no no. They're encouraged to keep their mouths shut (which not a lot do, but the idea...)

We (American's) changed our Pledge to the Flag to appease a certain group, alienating the other. But that's okay because it's politically correct.

As for politicians, they're so worried about offending anyone they never say anything at all.

Then there are shows like South Park which are totally politically incorrect but extremely popular. Is it because they say things we're not "allowed" to say?

Basic manners are great (referring to people how they want to be referred and things like that), but is there a difference between politically correct and just plain polite?

:ohmy: :S (There you go, V-Tog )

Political Correctness Wiki Page wrote: politically correct; both forms commonly abbreviated to PC) is a term which denotes language, ideas, policies, and behavior seen as seeking to minimize social and institutional offense

I think I understand (probably due to watching too much House MD) Phortis's point


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Being polite is not being cowardly. You can explain yourself perfectly well while not belittling your own opinions but not coming off as simply a bigot

I can understand an argument from euphemism - making bad things sound better ("Don't worry people it isn't genocide... it's 'ethnic cleansing' or 'purifying'")

But I don't see the need to carelessly and tactlessly just throwing out purposefully insulting words

There is a difference between lying and being courteous - unless you are actually lying to be courteous...

Alexandre Orion wrote: Truth is a three-edged sword

I have that Kosh quote in my signature

V-Tog wrote: may I also suggest revisiting this sermon ?

You totally beat me to linking to my own sermon... lol

V-Tog wrote: If you take a strong-willed post and add emoticons to it, it probably comes across a little more friendly... :silly:


It may be a mark of my age or whatever, but I think smilies are somewhat juvenile. Check: have you ever put them in an academic paper, job app, etc? And more often than not, if I post in these forums, I am trying to make a point on a subject that I feel (something) about, with some gravitas, hopefully. Not necessarily just chatting amongst friends.

So that is why I seldom use them.

On the other hand, although we sometimes do talk to one another vocally, sometimes visually and on occasion meet up in person (much more rare), very much of our communication is on a more verbal discourse level than carefully tailored written rhetoric. For this reason, we do not have the benefit of paralanguage, meaning all that is gesture, expression, hexis &c, which is as meaning bearing as well selected morphemes. It stands to reason that emoticônes (smilies, if one would) can help to fill in that very consequetial gap ; paralanguage carries much more communication signifigance than one generally thinks ...

It is not a mark of your age, Desolous, but simply how you feel about it. You may, for neither viewpoint is right or wrong. Or, if it is juvenile, I don't mind being somewhat (and hell, I have 12 years on you and worked in academia for quite a while) ...

You're right, we probably would not put emoticônes in academic papers, job apps or cover letters or anything of writing genres where that would be out of place. Yet, in our forums, whereas they are not "necessary", they do have precisely the effect that V was pointing out - and that by making up for the aforementioned missing paralanguage element.

Besides that, they're just fun ...

Desolous wrote: It may be a mark of my age or whatever, but I think smilies are somewhat juvenile. Check: have you ever put them in an academic paper, job app, etc? And more often than not, if I post in these forums, I am trying to make a point on a subject that I feel (something) about, with some gravitas, hopefully. Not necessarily just chatting amongst friends.

So that is why I seldom use them.

I think the reason people rarely use emoticons on an academic paper or job application is for the sake of professionalism rather than because it could be considered juvenile. They may not be necessary in every statement but in certain statements of a discussion they can often be used as a great way to convey intention or show emotions with text. For example...

I'm having a blast.

vs.

I'm having a blast. :dry:

Which statement would you consider sarcastic and which one genuine?

Being polite to others is not a problem; it should be a goal!

That said, I take issue with the idea of political correctness because of that political in there. To me, it implies that the point is to be kind and respectful to others for selfish reasons rather than any hint of kindness. It often comes across as fake or forced in order not to alienate or offend possible supporters or people you need on your side. It becomes a thing of law and policy and image rather than human decency.

Basic human politeness should be instinctive. There shouldn't even need to be a specific term like "political correctness" to describe a part of it.