Words can hurt. Words can especially hurt when they are used in a negative way to describe one’s race, gender, social class, age, religion, or physical ability. Generally, no one wishes to be called a name that is disrespectful to themselves, the group they’re associated with, or their beliefs (Gallagher). Originally, this is what political correctness was supposed to help eliminate-the cruel behaviors against groups who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against. The current definition of ‘political correctness’ according to the Oxford dictionary is “The avoidance, often considered as taken to extremes, of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against.” (Definition). Those in favor of the use of political correctness claim that it is not limiting ones vocabulary and is not taking away their right to freedom of speech (Premiere). This is because they claim that it is not forcing someone to not talk about a certain subject or group of people. It is simply offering other words of the same definition in which we would understand them by such as replacing “Negro” for “African American” (Murphy). It is basically words of similar meaning just leaving out the words that hold strong emotional context to them based on groups whom have struggled in the past (Murphy). It’s more of choosing to not use those words that we as a society know are offensive to certain groups of people whom have struggled to become equals. These groups should be respected as equals by not using terms that were used in times when they were not of equal people. Those opposed to political correctness claim that this theory has gone too far... ... middle of paper ... ...terror plot to kill soldiers did not become the horrific reality it could have been (Trumpet). The difficulty of distinguishing between what’s politically correct and what is not can lead to us being afraid to use our own human judgment. Specifically, the fear of accusing someone of a crime that is of a minority group and being considered a racist if wrong “serves as a shield for a host of bad behaviors”(Trumpet). Today, political correctness has turned towards a direction of people trying to avoid these types of sensitive topics altogether. I believe that it has gone so far that we are even second guessing what we think is okay to say because we aren’t sure if it is still okay to mention. Our fear of not knowing what is now acceptable to say or not has lead to our inability to get comfortable with living and working with people who are different than ourselves.
For instance, in the show Freaks and Geeks, we find individuals, calling themselves freaks, because they do not belong in the ‘status quo,’ and live or desire to live alternative lifestyles. Would this be disrespectful to individuals who according to 19th and 20th century lingo, were called freaks? I think it is highly disrespectful indeed, because in the show, we find these kids who are not disabled, and are all white using a term which has caused so much pain to others,used it in such a free way, to be different and alternate. It goes back to what he was saying about how individuals who identify with the pink triangle and the term freak, need to also be a witness to the pain that other individuals suffered, like the gay POC and non-disabled POC. And it is worse because these kids in no way bear any semblance with either of the categories mentioned. It’s becoming some sort of norm, in which white people of years passed create words which are meant to relegate different individuals to the outside, and then after this relegation is done, choose to use it as freely as they want. For instance the use of the word ‘nigger’, white people want to include this word in their vocabulary so bad, because slavery happened more than 300 years ago. But they forget the pain that comes with this word, but you cannot truly forget what
Being Chinese, I understand first hand how discriminatory words can impact the way that you view yourself. I was really able to relate to Christine Leong’s, “Being a Chink”, and was able to empathize with her feelings of anguish over having a loved one called a derogatory name. Many times I have been made fun of due to my small eyes, flat face, and short stature, all of which are common traits that most Chinese people share. I have been treated differently, asked absurd questions, and been stereotyped all because of my ethnicity. The multiple times I’d been made fun of because I was Chinese are vividly burned into my memory, I can even remember the outfit I was wearing. That just goes to show how powerfully words can affect someone. My
Michiko Kakutani's essay “The Word Police” is a refreshing look at a literary world policed by the Politically Correct (P.C.). She pokes fun at the efforts of P.C. policepersons such as Rosalie Maggio, author of The Bias-Free Word Finder, a Dictionary of Nondiscriminatory Language . But in mocking authors like Maggio, Kakutani emphasizes that efforts of the P.C. police are often exaggerated to the point of silliness and can even become a linguistic distraction from the real issues. In fact, such filtering or censorship of words can lead to larger problems within the English language: “getting upset by phrases like ‘bullish on America' or ‘the City of Brotherly Love' tends to distract attention from the real problems of prejudice and injustice that exist in society at large” (686). According to Kakutani, over-exaggerated political correctness just serves in complicating our words and diluting the messages. But really, the problem in P.C. advice on word-choice is the exaggeration of inclusive ness. Kakutani addresses the P.C. police's righteous motive: “a vision of a more just, inclusive society in which racism, sexism, and prejudice of all sorts have been erased” (684). But where does one draw the line between writing inclusively and walking on eggshells? What is politically correct? Must writers assume the worst of their audiences when debating whether to mutate the spelling of “women” to “womyn” in order to avoid sexist language? The truth is, writing purely inclusively is an arduous task; it requires consistent and careful consideration of many exterior elements such as audience, literary content, and societal context. An examination of these elements reveals just how difficult ...
Free speech. Affirmative action. Political correctness. These three things all have at least one key thing common and that one thing can be summed up as this: To you, the reader; to me, the writer; and to anyone and everyone you talk to about those three things, they will have a different meaning with a different story with a different reason for them being defined that way. The discussion cannot end simply with our own stories, but begin with those stories and transcend into something new with being exposed to different ideas and viewpoints that may or may not match our own. D’souza, Taylor, Robbins and all other authors mentioned in this piece can help everyone to grow in their personal definitions of free speech, affirmative action and political correctness.
Rankin, Aidan. “The repressive openness of political correctness.” Contemporary Review 282.1644 (2003): 33+. Literature resource Center. Web. 15 Feb. 2011.
Unlike many other countries America has freedom of speech. Even in other countries in Europe people are not allowed to use “hate speech” and they can be sent to prison for it. Fortunately, the American constitution defends people’s freedom of speech, no matter how controversial it is. Political correctness diminishes people’s free speech. It may not be direct but even indirectly the knowledge that someone might have adverse consequences; such as losing a job as a result of their speech is unacceptable. People have the right to state their opinions without others infringing on them, it was the principle in which America was founded. The first amendment of the constitution of the United States declares that: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” (US Const. amend. I, sec. i). While the first amendment only affects congress’s control over free speech, it indicates that free speech is a right that people must have. Some people are of the opinion that if something can be found offensive
There was no political correctness in this movie, creating an environment that has great impact. The ugliest character, Officer Ryan, is abusive on the beat and is hard to work with, but still his coworkers have his back. At home he cares for his aging father, and in an attempt to secure better healthcare benefits, he verbally abuses an African American social worker, who has him escorted out. At movie’s end it is the social worker we see in a fender bender spouting racial slurs at the Middle Eastern person who hit
...regardless of skin color or gender, feel the same effects: a brick wall placed between them and their constitutional right of prosperity and equality. Over the last hundred years our societal values (in employment) have swung from an anything goes mentality to the other end of the spectrum, the era of "political correctness" where you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. Uncertainty prevails. It is apparent, though, that the proverbial "pendulum" is in an evening-out process and trying to find middle ground.
...2009) political correctness build an inclusive society in which people from diverse backgrounds are offered equal opportunities. Another article that defend political correctness talk about the people who are against this movement don’t want to be polite or civil to the people different from them, the important thing to this people is to do what they want when they want even though they used hurtful word they don’t care(angry black woman 2007). This article end by saying political correctness is very important to the language and we need to fight for it so let’s make sure people use it. Allan Goldstein has the same opinion as the two authors before he said that ” political correctness is a small price to pay for keeping the peace between large groups of outraged people” he means people don’t like political correctness but we need it so the people can live peacely.
Censorship in School Libraries The most debatable and controversial form of censorship today is the banning of books in school libraries. Banning books that educate students is wrong and selfish. Censorship of books in school libraries is neither uncommon nor an issue of the past. Books with artistic and cultural worth are still challenged constantly by those who want to control what others read. The roots of bigotry and illiteracy that fuel efforts to censor books and free expression are unacceptable and unconditional.
Some people say that political correctness should not be an issue and that it may have run amok. I understand that our First Amendment states our right to speak freely, but there are definitely certain situations where it matters what people say. My belief is that when you have any political following or any influence on a population you should be careful with the words you say. Average Americans who do not have any influence on the mass populous should not be hindered from completing their jobs. Political correctness is one of the largest problems we have in America today and we are not taking it seriously enough.
Do not judge a book by its cover or in this case a person by their appearance. Many people are being discriminated each year around the world. Discrimination has going long throughout history. Discrimination basically is the favoritism of different types of people or objects and also being treated differently. It happens to many people from public, home, and almost anywhere a person can go. Some people have to work harder than others because of their colors. Or the fact that the job is treating one person different than others employees; simply because that person is female or male. Sadly to say but, people do be criticized by others by the way they look. There are three types of discrimination that is unfair to judge a person by their race,
Words are very powerful, and sometimes the words we use offend people. Freedom of speech is highly valued but what happens when your freedom becomes hurtful or disrespectful to someone else? There are so many different kinds of people and different things that offend each person. In this day where we are more inclined to say whatever we want, we see more and more offense being taken to the words that get said. It's hard to understand why certain words can be insulting to someone when it may not seem that way to you. We have to ask ourselves, why do we care what other people say and should we censer everything that goes into the public just so people don't get offended?
People tend to exploit their rights, just by hurting someone’s feelings or dignity as Waldron said in his book (Harm in Hate Speech, 2012). Sometimes the message that has been conveyed is not what is actually intended to be said. But what comes out of someone’s mouth couldn’t be taken back. There are times when people don’t care if they are being offensive because either they don’t know that it might hurt the feelings of others or they have full intension of using their rights in a way that would cause mental stress for others.
“Learn to feel beyond yourself” (Earthlings). Oppression seems inevitable and is brought upon by your sex, race, or species. If only the human race could stop being selfish and feel beyond themselves, the world would be a better place. Oppression is not an ultramodern problem; it has been around since the Earth began to be inhabited. Oppression in India from foreign countries began centuries ago, now only the lasting impression sits. In Surat in 1612, the British built its first factory and founded the East India Company. As a result, many people of India encountered numerous hardships due to industrialization. Before the British conquered Indian lands, the Indians were farming and not technologically advanced. Until 1858, the East India Company quelled any Indian revolts and prolonged the rule of the British. The Indians were forced to acculturate to the English language, education system, religion, and controlling rules. A sepoy mutiny that broke out in 1857 to 1858 led the British to be directly in charge of the people. Sepoys were Indians with authority, but British puppets—meaning the Indian sepoys did anything the British demanded. India was granted self-rule and government in 1935 with the help of Gandhi, a peaceful leader who gained India’s independence, and his method of non-violence and non-cooperation. They did not gain their full independence until 1947 (Infoplease). The joy of the Indians did not linger long enough because the Muslims segregated and moved to their own country Pakistan (Infoplease). Seventeen million Muslims migrated to Pakistan—making it the largest migration ever. Two years later, India affirmed their ...