Don’t design to offend, but defend the right to be PC-independent “W
e are going to start a family.” That statement formerly thought of as joyous good news isn’t any more. It is now not politically correct.
It might make couples unable to have children feel bad and young not married feel left out. Heaven forbid! It is true, it is now considered not PC to say, “We are going to start a family.”
Why should a couple excited about a potentially positive experience not have the right to share their good news? Why should persons not starting a family feel repressed? Would not that be a bit self-centered? When did it become uncouth to rejoice with those who rejoice? Shared joy is joy multiplied.
Have you ever wondered where PC came from, who started it, and who is now determining what is PC? It started with a small group of psychologists, and their ilk still governs it. It was begun because females felt left out because of such titles as firemen, policemen and salesmen. Thus, some females felt this stereotyped the roles and left them out. Non-gender titles were insisted upon. The concept expanded to change all things to neutral terms.
PC now has a much broader meaning. The intent is to remove all stereotypes. That includes gender terms like male and female. The objective is an androgynous culture consisting of an indeterminate sex. The prospering of the LGBT community indicates it is working.
As with most things, money influences what is PC. Groups don’t want to offend large groups. Therefore, they search for terms and expressions likely to please donors.
Sociology is also at play. A desire to please segments of society is at play, lest the group react. This can work both ways. It has on occasion been a positive thing.
In the matter of race there has been a full circuit of word usage. Once it was considered REV. NELSON PRICE
Email letters to the editor to MColombo@ RN-T.com or submit them to the Rome NewsTribune, 305 E. Sixth Ave., Rome, GA 30162. Please limit letters to 250-300 words in length. Be sure to include a daytime telephone number so the letter can be verified. offensive to refer to “black people.” “Afro-Americans” was preferable. Now in most circles it is improper to refer to “Afro-Americans.” Now the in term is “black people” again.
Members of the entertainment industry dramatically influence what is PC. From their popular perch they simply state their preferred term, and society picks it up based solely on the basis of the popularity of the one using it.
Being aware of the welfare of others should be a goal for everyone. Being polite and courteous should be our default mode. However, a person should never compromise their convictions just to be PC.
Don’t design to offend, but do defend the right to be graciously PC-independent on occasion.
The PC efforts are an attempt to control our speech in public and hence our thoughts. The ultimate result of controlling our thoughts is to control our conduct. If done, we will all be PC robots.
A counterpoint is tolerance. It has been taken to ridiculous extremes, but PC people are not tolerant of those of us who even unwittingly violate their standard for being PC. Don’t be a picky, sensitive, self-indulging whiner if someone uses a term you don’t prefer. You are likely to unwittingly do the same to them.
Remember, being offended works both ways. If a person expresses disapproval of the LGBT movement they are branded “homophobic.” Such branding is offensive to the one so branded.
PC has become so hypersensitive, conversing is like a butterfly with sore feet walking on velvet. RJ Matson, Cagle Cartoons
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