PC: to be or not to be - Page 2

Cin · 11-22-2015, 11:19 AM

Listening to Donald Trump explain away his xenophobic, sexist and racist comments as him just being a straight talker is appalling. He dismisses any objections concerning his marked lack of interest in displaying behavior and language that is even marginally approaching respectful. He sees it as a waste of time and energy. He calls having a problem with racist, sexist, and xenophobic comments as being PC. "Maybe they don't want a straight-talker. Maybe they don't, but I am so tired of this politically correct crap," declares Trump, eliciting the biggest cheers of his speech.

Trump goes on to equate political correctness with not being a "straight-talker", with lying. The inference is that political correctness means we cannot tell it like it is. He certainly is not alone in this belief. Many people profess to be tired of having to be PC. They believe being politically correct stifles their freedom of speech as well as the free expression of ideas.

Others believe it is important to make the effort to be politically correct in thought, word and deed. They feel it is important to attempt to eradicate everyday speech of overt racism, sexism and a variety of other isms.

I have a hard time understanding how the words "politically correct" elicit such negative connotations for some people. But many, many are tired of attempts to encourage politically correct behavior in others. Maybe the disconnect is in the definition. Personally I define politically correct as simply taking the time to be respectful of others, to be polite even when I disagree with someone, and to avoid using forms of expression or actions that insult, exclude or marginalize certain racial, cultural or "other" groups. I can't imagine anyone would advocate that as a course of action we choose to behave disrespectfully of others, that we be impolite in our dealings with people and that we speak and act in ways that are insulting to others. So I've come to the conclusion that when we say politically correct each of us has a different definition of what that means.

My hope for this thread is that people will be willing to share what PC means to them. I for one would like to understand what meaning people are using for politically correct when they say they are tired of being that.

As it can be a sensitive subject, let's try to share information, definitions and opinions without judgment or hostility. We don't have to agree on anything. I for one call it a success when I can understand another's reasons for their position on something.

Let's not attack each other.

11-22-2015, 11:19 AM	#1
Cin Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Truly Madly Deeply Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: In My Head Posts: 2,814 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,333 Thanked 10,436 Times in 2,476 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	PC: to be or not to be Listening to Donald Trump explain away his xenophobic, sexist and racist comments as him just being a straight talker is appalling. He dismisses any objections concerning his marked lack of interest in displaying behavior and language that is even marginally approaching respectful. He sees it as a waste of time and energy. He calls having a problem with racist, sexist, and xenophobic comments as being PC. "Maybe they don't want a straight-talker. Maybe they don't, but I am so tired of this politically correct crap," declares Trump, eliciting the biggest cheers of his speech. Trump goes on to equate political correctness with not being a "straight-talker", with lying. The inference is that political correctness means we cannot tell it like it is. He certainly is not alone in this belief. Many people profess to be tired of having to be PC. They believe being politically correct stifles their freedom of speech as well as the free expression of ideas. Others believe it is important to make the effort to be politically correct in thought, word and deed. They feel it is important to attempt to eradicate everyday speech of overt racism, sexism and a variety of other isms. I have a hard time understanding how the words "politically correct" elicit such negative connotations for some people. But many, many are tired of attempts to encourage politically correct behavior in others. Maybe the disconnect is in the definition. Personally I define politically correct as simply taking the time to be respectful of others, to be polite even when I disagree with someone, and to avoid using forms of expression or actions that insult, exclude or marginalize certain racial, cultural or "other" groups. I can't imagine anyone would advocate that as a course of action we choose to behave disrespectfully of others, that we be impolite in our dealings with people and that we speak and act in ways that are insulting to others. So I've come to the conclusion that when we say politically correct each of us has a different definition of what that means. My hope for this thread is that people will be willing to share what PC means to them. I for one would like to understand what meaning people are using for politically correct when they say they are tired of being that. As it can be a sensitive subject, let's try to share information, definitions and opinions without judgment or hostility. We don't have to agree on anything. I for one call it a success when I can understand another's reasons for their position on something. Let's not attack each other.