Out of Hand Political Correctness

[Illuminattile]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

What I meant was you can't move to a Christian country and then get offended by Christianity.

And if you're born in a so-called "Christian country"?

The idea that you either have to agree with everything about a country or leave it is absurd. Just because I live here doesn't mean I have to agree with the way the country operates.

"You can't move to a politically correct country and then get offended by political correctness"

 

[ArtsyGirl]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

Yes.

What I meant was you can't move to a Christian country and then get offended by Christianity.

It's like going to a vegan shop and complaining they don't sell meat.

I'll assume your speaking specifically for America, how is it a Christian country? How many religions are practiced in America?

 

[Valeoz]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

^^
I don't think he meant to be so broad. America was raised on Christian morality and the majority of our politicians are also Chrisitian. So I think it is fair to say America is a semi-Christian country with tolerance to other religions.

 

[HitEmUp21]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

I hear all the time about this "Happy Holidays" as a substitute for "Merry Christmas", but I am yet to actually see any evidence of people being swayed by so-called political correctness. It seems to be something that people talk about more than actually practice, like the active cultivation of a sense of fear that everything "we" take to be familiar is disappearing..

When is "Happy Holidays" really used besides by some card companies or top-down government and related agencies? And I'm talking about people within your social circles etc.

While working, people I talk to (so many of whom don't even celebrate christmas) wished me "Merry Christmas", and I did too, despite the fact that I despise the holiday.

In a small minority of cases, I'm sure political correctness is getting out of hand, but they are the only ones we hear about, it's not like the totalitarian mind-control technique (from the Left) that it is being portrayed as.

However, I will say this (and I'm not sure whether it actually fits under the issue of "political correctness" or not). Problems such as, and for example, racism are going to become much bigger problems under the surface so long as people are scared to air their views. Despite racism being rationally incorrect, many people (myself included) still hold such irrational beliefs, however, fear of being castigated and looked down upon has led to self-censorship and an inability of these people to be proven wrong, instead, they continue to air there views out behind closed doors with similar like-minded people, therefore reinforcing their incorrect views.

So, if political correctness is as bad as you doomsayers say it is, of course there is a problem with it. But I just am yet to see a real change in how people act. A few token "Happy Holidays" greetings is not enough to convince me that things are at all that bad.

But self-censorship fuelled by fear of castigation on the real issues is not going to lead to anything good. And that is the primary reason why I can't stand to read political rhetoric, you just know that pragmatism has overtaken the politicians airing out their true feelings (or at least the politicians who are risking a chance to lead or form a coalition).

 

[Valeoz]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

^^
How the hell could you despise Christmas? It's like the best holiday of the year (even if your a Chrisitian or not). Did you have a bad childhood?

 

[HitEmUp21]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

^^
How the hell could you despise Christmas? It's like the best holiday of the year (even if your a Chrisitian or not). Did you have a bad childhood?

Perhaps I exaggerated with despise, I don't like the holiday for reasons that I have with disenchanting break with religion, and certain hypocrisy with the holiday...maybe I am taking it too serious, and I do take back saying despise, but I just don't like the holiday.

But, I think focusing on my feelings about Christmas is missing the point of my post.

 

[Illuminattile]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

Despite racism being rationally incorrect, many people (myself included) still hold such irrational beliefs

You're racist?

 

[Cooper]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

I hear all the time about this "Happy Holidays" as a substitute for "Merry Christmas", but I am yet to actually see any evidence of people being swayed by so-called political correctness. It seems to be something that people talk about more than actually practice, like the active cultivation of a sense of fear that everything "we" take to be familiar is disappearing..

When is "Happy Holidays" really used besides by some card companies or top-down government and related agencies? And I'm talking about people within your social circles etc.

While working, people I talk to (so many of whom don't even celebrate christmas) wished me "Merry Christmas", and I did too, despite the fact that I despise the holiday.

In a small minority of cases, I'm sure political correctness is getting out of hand, but they are the only ones we hear about, it's not like the totalitarian mind-control technique (from the Left) that it is being portrayed as.

However, I will say this (and I'm not sure whether it actually fits under the issue of "political correctness" or not). Problems such as, and for example, racism are going to become much bigger problems under the surface so long as people are scared to air their views. Despite racism being rationally incorrect, many people (myself included) still hold such irrational beliefs, however, fear of being castigated and looked down upon has led to self-censorship and an inability of these people to be proven wrong, instead, they continue to air there views out behind closed doors with similar like-minded people, therefore reinforcing their incorrect views.

So, if political correctness is as bad as you doomsayers say it is, of course there is a problem with it. But I just am yet to see a real change in how people act. A few token "Happy Holidays" greetings is not enough to convince me that things are at all that bad.

But self-censorship fuelled by fear of castigation on the real issues is not going to lead to anything good. And that is the primary reason why I can't stand to read political rhetoric, you just know that pragmatism has overtaken the politicians airing out their true feelings (or at least the politicians who are risking a chance to lead or form a coalition).

We should all show our racism?

 

[S O F I]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

You're racist?

I don't think he's in the position of power. He's a bigot, probably, so am I.

 

[BombFirst5]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

ppl take things too seriously, im a muslim living in australia, i dont care when i see all the decorations come up around christmas. i sang some christmas carols in primary school, big deal. if the blackboard is black then whats the problem? ppl need to relax

 

[HitEmUp21]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

We should all show our racism?

That is the contradiction I battle with constantly, should we knowingly assume a position opposed to how we truly feel in order to fit with the constraints of our immediate society?

Sometimes I feel as though racist views or prejudices should be at least admitted to, that is my main goal. This is in opposition to the leagues of people who claim "I'm not racist" when they quite obviously are.

I think that racist thoughts should at least be spoken, rather than one censored him or herself. Of course the dilemma here is the consequences of such action, I think however it is safe to say that the current climate would be more encouraging of airing racist views, as now there is a true oppositional discourse to such opinions (and various post-colonial movements have ensured that oppression by whites is not as bad), and unless someone lives under a rock (which unfortunately quite a few people do), it is blatantly obvious that race as a concrete concept is a fallacy, and thus racism is accordingly false.

One thing that many people fail to see is the difference between racism in speech of the everyday person, and the real problem: institutional racism. With institutional racism, it doesn't matter what people say, what prevails is the unstated assumptions and claims that many are too scared to air for fear of castigation--until of course, they find many many like-minded individuals and form a group to air their long-held grievances (which occurred in my own country with a recent "race riot").

Basically, the main aim is to stop denying racism in ourselves just because it is ugly or socially unacceptable. In order to get over this frivolousness, we need to realise that there is quite a racist in each of us and actively work to exterminate that by cross-cultural relations and recognition of the inaccuracy of stereotypes. Most of all, we need to stop categorising people into so-called "races", and essentializing those perceived as foreign.

And, by the way, I do harbour views that would be considered as racist, or at least prejudiced. These mostly include unsaid assumptions that are just below my conscious awareness, but may sprout up each time somebody acts in accordance with a stereotype, or even when I expect, one some level, someone to act in accordance with a stereotype. The things we are brought up to learn about cultures foreign from our own are so much of the time distortions of the truth, because I'm convinced that there is no one true way a culture acts.

 

[Bender]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

People take things out of context, and the meanings get confused. People interpret differently. It's like I could be talking about bannanas and peaches; now I could be discussing a recipie for a desert, and most likely would be. But a woman might hear that and think, I could be talking about something completely unrelated to Food.

Context.

 

[Pittsey]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

And if you're born in a so-called "Christian country"?

The idea that you either have to agree with everything about a country or leave it is absurd. Just because I live here doesn't mean I have to agree with the way the country operates.

"You can't move to a politically correct country and then get offended by political correctness"

I didn't say you have to agree. You should however be respectful. The Uk is a christian country. If you're gonna move here by all means practice your religion, just be respectful of others religions. If you can't do that why move here. Or in plain words - Fuck OFF.

If you're born here and find christian holidays offensive, then you are retarded and brain washed. Disliking a holiday is completely different to finding it offensive. I dislike all religious holidays, aside from the fact I get paid holiday, but I don't find any offensive.

I'll assume your speaking specifically for America, how is it a Christian country? How many religions are practiced in America?

I was talking about the UK. Whether 400 religions are practiced it is still essentially a christian country. I am not religious, I am however respectful of all religions. But a religious holiday should not be considered offensive in a country which is essentially a christian country.

 

[Pittsey]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

That is the contradiction I battle with constantly, should we knowingly assume a position opposed to how we truly feel in order to fit with the constraints of our immediate society?

Sometimes I feel as though racist views or prejudices should be at least admitted to, that is my main goal. This is in opposition to the leagues of people who claim "I'm not racist" when they quite obviously are.

I think that racist thoughts should at least be spoken, rather than one censored him or herself. Of course the dilemma here is the consequences of such action, I think however it is safe to say that the current climate would be more encouraging of airing racist views, as now there is a true oppositional discourse to such opinions (and various post-colonial movements have ensured that oppression by whites is not as bad), and unless someone lives under a rock (which unfortunately quite a few people do), it is blatantly obvious that race as a concrete concept is a fallacy, and thus racism is accordingly false.

One thing that many people fail to see is the difference between racism in speech of the everyday person, and the real problem: institutional racism. With institutional racism, it doesn't matter what people say, what prevails is the unstated assumptions and claims that many are too scared to air for fear of castigation--until of course, they find many many like-minded individuals and form a group to air their long-held grievances (which occurred in my own country with a recent "race riot").

Basically, the main aim is to stop denying racism in ourselves just because it is ugly or socially unacceptable. In order to get over this frivolousness, we need to realise that there is quite a racist in each of us and actively work to exterminate that by cross-cultural relations and recognition of the inaccuracy of stereotypes. Most of all, we need to stop categorising people into so-called "races", and essentializing those perceived as foreign.

And, by the way, I do harbour views that would be considered as racist, or at least prejudiced. These mostly include unsaid assumptions that are just below my conscious awareness, but may sprout up each time somebody acts in accordance with a stereotype, or even when I expect, one some level, someone to act in accordance with a stereotype. The things we are brought up to learn about cultures foreign from our own are so much of the time distortions of the truth, because I'm convinced that there is no one true way a culture acts.

I don't agree at all. When I was a kid I had trouble with a gang of Asian boys. Once when we had kind of stopped it, well we could at least pass each other without fighting, they said to me. "Deep down when you look at us you are thinking pakis, and when we look at you we think Honkies." I was like "what, No. I think your pricks but I never think that is due to your race/religion".

I think you are the same as them. Not everyone has the same low standard as you. (Trying not to insult you, but it comes across harsh however I word it).

 

[S O F I]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

That is the contradiction I battle with constantly, should we knowingly assume a position opposed to how we truly feel in order to fit with the constraints of our immediate society?

Sometimes I feel as though racist views or prejudices should be at least admitted to, that is my main goal. This is in opposition to the leagues of people who claim "I'm not racist" when they quite obviously are.

I think that racist thoughts should at least be spoken, rather than one censored him or herself. Of course the dilemma here is the consequences of such action, I think however it is safe to say that the current climate would be more encouraging of airing racist views, as now there is a true oppositional discourse to such opinions (and various post-colonial movements have ensured that oppression by whites is not as bad), and unless someone lives under a rock (which unfortunately quite a few people do), it is blatantly obvious that race as a concrete concept is a fallacy, and thus racism is accordingly false.

One thing that many people fail to see is the difference between racism in speech of the everyday person, and the real problem: institutional racism. With institutional racism, it doesn't matter what people say, what prevails is the unstated assumptions and claims that many are too scared to air for fear of castigation--until of course, they find many many like-minded individuals and form a group to air their long-held grievances (which occurred in my own country with a recent "race riot").

Basically, the main aim is to stop denying racism in ourselves just because it is ugly or socially unacceptable. In order to get over this frivolousness, we need to realise that there is quite a racist in each of us and actively work to exterminate that by cross-cultural relations and recognition of the inaccuracy of stereotypes. Most of all, we need to stop categorising people into so-called "races", and essentializing those perceived as foreign.

And, by the way, I do harbour views that would be considered as racist, or at least prejudiced. These mostly include unsaid assumptions that are just below my conscious awareness, but may sprout up each time somebody acts in accordance with a stereotype, or even when I expect, one some level, someone to act in accordance with a stereotype. The things we are brought up to learn about cultures foreign from our own are so much of the time distortions of the truth, because I'm convinced that there is no one true way a culture acts.

I agree, I feel the same way. I just can't express it in words, sometimes. I find it funny how the society finds prejudice/bigotry/racism unacceptable, but grooms us to be prejudiced and bigots.

 

[HitEmUp21]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

I think you are the same as them. Not everyone has the same low standard as you. (Trying not to insult you, but it comes across harsh however I word it).

Not insulted, but in writing something that is essentially attacking everybody, I should be ready to take it.

It is a problem I think about, and your point is valid, simply because I have the experience of living only as myself. I can never be anyone else no matter how hard I try, so it may be a case of me having those "low standards" and expecting them of everybody else. However, the way I read other people's actions and the admissions of the few who own their racism leads me to feel more confidence in my belief that there is quite a lot of underlying racism within each (or at least most?) of us.

But don't misunderstand my point, I'm not saying that you should have a problem with people because they are of a certain 'race' or not. Quite the contrary, I believe that we easily get along with anyone of any culture on a personal level, but in theory, with no real face to the label, we are racist.

I think we shouldn't look at it as the binary "racist/not racist", but rather a continuum of "how racist are you?", perhaps even the word "racist" is inappropriate due to the extremely negative connotations, maybe something like "how prejudiced are you?". I really don't know, but I am convinced that it is almost impossible to be raised in a Western society like ours being subject to the prejudices of the media and the collective culture, and not hold some prejudices of our own. Especially with what appears to be a resurgence of conservatism in the mood of various Western countries at the moment (U.S.A., Canada, Britain etc.), wherein there is quite a high awareness of migration issues as well as the issue of terrorism with obvious Middle Eastern/Muslim associations (notice how they are all lumped together?).

I find it funny how the society finds prejudice/bigotry/racism unacceptable, but grooms us to be prejudiced and bigots.

Exactly.

 

[Pittsey]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

Not insulted, but in writing something that is essentially attacking everybody, I should be ready to take it.

It is a problem I think about, and your point is valid, simply because I have the experience of living only as myself. I can never be anyone else no matter how hard I try, so it may be a case of me having those "low standards" and expecting them of everybody else. However, the way I read other people's actions and the admissions of the few who own their racism leads me to feel more confidence in my belief that there is quite a lot of underlying racism within each (or at least most?) of us.

But don't misunderstand my point, I'm not saying that you should have a problem with people because they are of a certain 'race' or not. Quite the contrary, I believe that we easily get along with anyone of any culture on a personal level, but in theory, with no real face to the label, we are racist.

I think we shouldn't look at it as the binary "racist/not racist", but rather a continuum of "how racist are you?", perhaps even the word "racist" is inappropriate due to the extremely negative connotations, maybe something like "how prejudiced are you?". I really don't know, but I am convinced that it is almost impossible to be raised in a Western society like ours being subject to the prejudices of the media and the collective culture, and not hold some prejudices of our own. Especially with what appears to be a resurgence of conservatism in the mood of various Western countries at the moment (U.S.A., Canada, Britain etc.), wherein there is quite a high awareness of migration issues as well as the issue of terrorism with obvious Middle Eastern/Muslim associations (notice how they are all lumped together?).

I think, essentially I hate everyone. Therefore I have no prejudice towards anyone. And I'm actually serious.

 

[S O F I]

your views on political correctnes is it out of hand

I think, essentially I hate everyone. Therefore I have no prejudice towards anyone. And I'm actually serious.

Misanthropists, we call them.

But, what you stated does not cleary make sense. Prejudice does not have anything to do with hating anyone. You can be prejudiced, but not be hateful or a discriminator.

 

[k69atie]

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13512455,00.html


what do you think, is this going too far?

 

[2pac4prez2004]

Nursey Rhyme slaughted

sheeps are black tho, when the fuck has some one seen a multicoloured sheep?