Is anyone else sick of the words "politically correct"?

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   Lee Lee 513posted 10 years ago

   Is anyone else sick of the words "politically correct"?
   
   Who thought this up, a politician and why are so many people going along with it. We keep changing in America to accommodate more people we don't need. Who else is sick of being told what to say and how to, isn't this going against our freedom of speech?????
   
   

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2. 72

   Aime Fposted 10 years ago

   I am really very curious and somewhat frightened to know what you mean by "people we don't need"...
   
   I don't think being PC and having freedom of speech have to be contradictory. Surely we can all manage to express our opinions in a way that won't upset an entire group of people? And if we can't, then maybe it's time to reflect on our opinions.
   
   I think that, like with anything, people can take it to an extreme. But the idea of choosing your words/actions carefully as to not upset a bunch of people seems like common courtesy to me. There will always be someone that's offended when you express a view they don't like, regardless of how respectful you're trying to be, but I think the general idea is to not offend a whole group of people rather than not offending anyone at all.
   
   Then again, I live in a country that is known for being accomodating, so respecting those who are different than me isn't really something I see as an inconvenience.... it's just how things are.

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      Link10103posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Canada continues to sound like a magical place compared to the US...

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      connorjposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Aime,
      I am Christian and celebrate Christmas every year; yet, in your country's so called inclusive nature it seems to be overwhelming referred to as the so called inclusive term Winter Holiday which to me is completely exclusive of its meaning..

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      Aime Fposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I have not once heard the term "Winter Holiday".

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      Link10103posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The original question is based around the States. I dont see what people call the holidays in a completely different country has to do with anything really.

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      Zelkiiroposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Christmas is only one day. If your holiday during the winter lasts longer than a single day, guess what? It's the "winter holiday." Ba-da ba ba-dum bum.

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      Aime Fposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That's a fair point - the school break is called "winter break", "Christmas break" wouldn't be accurate because it's 10+ days. But I assure you that everything Christmas related is still referred to as Christmas.

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   Link10103posted 10 years ago

   Getting offended by people getting offended by what you say and wanting them to stop getting offended is going against their free speech, just so you know.
   
   As long as you are not actually forced to stop talking, your free speech is not being infringed upon. If you ever want people to actually agree with you, its best to be "politically correct" to a reasonable degree at all times. It isnt difficult to separate the people who are legitimately upset at what was said from the people who just like to whine about everything.

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   Zelkiiroposted 10 years ago

   People realizing you're a bigot and a generally despicable human being isn't an infringement on your right to Free Speech. It just means they're going to use their own right to Free Speech to call you out on your evil thoughts and beliefs.
   
   Also, because you seem to be one of those people who have no idea what they're talking about in any situation, the First Amendment in regards to Free Speech states that you cannot be imprisoned for something you've said. You can't be arrested for spouting your fascist ideologies, but people are perfectly free to despise you for them.

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   lisavollrathposted 10 years ago

   "Politically correct" is a term that means not saying every racist, sexist, hateful thing that comes into your head, because those words might hurt another human being.
   
   I come from immigrants. No, not those immigrants. People who came to this country through Ellis Island. My people were called names that you've probably never even heard: dago; goombah; wop; guinea. I'm sure at one point, some people in the early 1900s called my ancestors "people we don't need", but it turns out America did need us after all. Those ugly, diminishing words have fallen out of usage, because people stopped thinking that my people were second class citizens, and accepted that we are Americans.
   
   And yes, you do have freedom of speech, but you don't have freedom from the consequences of your words. If you want to use words that hurt people, be prepared for the backlash from people who think you should learn to express yourself in a way that isn't hateful.

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   cjhunsingerposted 10 years ago

   Lee Lee
   
   Political Correctness is more or less a politically forced intimidation to restructure thought, speech and action. George Orwell best articulated the methodology in his "1984", with Newspeak and Doublethink. I would suggest some research.
   I would also suggest his, "Politics and the English language."
   I would think that Political Correctness speech is a philosophy that disables one from defending a point of principle, integrity, a cultural or historical point of view that departs from a government agenda. Such is noted in the post by cathylynn, who asserts that by not abiding by a political correctness you are, "mean spirited and uniformed." You are now ostracized, vilified, as a non-citizen. Does this not tell you where this is going? She has no evidence of who you are or what kind of person you are, but immediately feels justified in condemning you, simply because you ask a question.
   This thinking is no less a righteous and god-centered fervor that, essentially, is the same blind obedience to a cause that burnt people alive and cuts off their heads. "2+2=5" or any number that the government chooses to insert.

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      cathylynn99posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      i called no one mean spirited and uninformed. i said a potential comment might be those things.

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   JThomp42posted 10 years ago

   You are so right! I am so sick of our politicians feeling they need to be "politically correct" because they may offend someone. C'mon people.. say what it is! The United States has become a nation of cowards afraid of maybe offending someone.

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   danicoleposted 10 years ago

   Political correct is useful and important, but its annoying and it actually hurts free speech as much as it helps (well not as much, but it hurts quite a bit). It keeps and scares people from being honest and actually having a healthy debate/discourse.  Sometimes I wish people wouldn't hide behind PC words and say what they really mean.
   Of course all people should refrain from using sexist, racist and derogatory words/phrases that would hurt and offend people. Even so, I think political correctness is meant to be more polite thing to do, then a rule or infringement of free speech.
   
   What do you mean by accommodating people we don't need???

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   PeterStipposted 10 years ago

   Mmmm, people we do not. need! who is WE? And who are the people you are talking about?
   I think political correctness is a must. Especially when you speak in public. If you are a politician, a filmstar or sport hero you have a public function and people copy behaviour.
   Do you think the world would be a better place when people start cursing and swearing on the tele because of the so called freedom of speech?
   When Obama would say in public "they are all lazy Jews and should be gazed." Is this freedom of speech? I suppose so, but it's hurtful as well and will have an effect on the society.
   I think it's not a bad idea to think before we speak, because words can hurt.

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    Lee Lee 513posted 10 years ago

    Sorry to anyone I offended but as a Christian, I'm tired of hearing, it's not politically correct to say "Merry Christmas". If I had known being so offensive would have pushed my followers along, I should have done it sooner. I'm not racist or a bigot, just tired of people complaining how people are taking American jobs, even if they're more qualified. Then the other people, coming in our country, expecting to have things handed to them, like college, when every American has to pay for it. I'm not only from many countries but I'm part of the Native American race too. I would call names, myself as far as how stupid some of your responses seemed to me but it was assumed I meant it towards a specific group. I don't even really understand racism because it's nothing I grew up knowing. There is two sides to every story, the group losing jobs and the group needing to find it. I don't believe either is wrong, they just want to put food on the table.

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       Link10103posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Its really no wonder why you specifically get upset at political correctness. How often are you told to think before you talk?

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       Zelkiiroposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Ehhhh...your views on immigration are still pretty iffy, but when it comes to the "Merry Christmas" thing, THAT'S some real bullsh(dookie). I'm generally in favor of political correctness, but that sh(kerfuffle) is just stupid.

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       cjhunsingerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Lee Lee---Christmas is my favorite holiday. I have celebrated over 70 and 55 as an Atheist. I always say Merry Christmas and wonder of the people who do not. I really like Easter and yellow Peeps. Merry Christmas and a Happy Easter.

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    Kate Mc Brideposted 9 years ago

    Freedom of speech is important-for everybody. The problem is that sometimes the people who say more take the focus off those who know more. Exercising one's right to no reply is often a good alternative and can be more effective.

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