Political Correctness

Question

I'm unsure of other English speaking countries, but I know that here in America we have an unfortunate style of censorship known as "Political Correctness".

For those who don't understand or are unaware of the concept, PC (as it is often abbreviated) is basically a massive game of "Don't-insult/offend/embarrass-anyone-in any-way-shape-or-form". Although it may sound perfectly innocent, it has blossomed (or should I say "Mutated") into a hideous monster. When a loving father can't enter a public school for Career Day because he is (gasp!) wearing army fatigues (since such attire may offend some children), this is a severe warning sign.

Do other countries have some form of this? I know many nations don't have the same freedom of speech that we have here in America and Britain, so that may change some things.

Thank you!

:) - ian-hill, Mar 11, 2015

I don't think what you experienced is the norm, more like an exception. - Ranman, Mar 11, 2015

And what does this have to do with learning a language? - Ranman, Mar 11, 2015

Ranman - I may be misinterpreting your comment, but I am most certainly NOT the father illustrated here :) I am of neither the age nor marital status for such a feat! :) - 00ffada9, Mar 11, 2015

This was a cultural question. I'm still waiting on some non-western natives to (hopefully) give their opinions on this. - 00ffada9, Mar 11, 2015

I'm closing this thread. I know H didn't mean anything negative to anyone here by it, but as usual, it does cause problems between the members, so I will close it. - rac1, Mar 11, 2015

Answer 1

Don't get me started amigo.

If I did get started it would not be polite. I would have to ban myself from this site.

Si lo hice empezar no sería cortés. Yo tendría que prohibir a mí mismo de este sitio.

Suffice it to say PC is now a hideous curtailment of opinion and free speech.

Baste decir PC es ahora una reducción horrible de opinión y la libertad de expresión.

Answer 2

Am I the only person here who is ok with PC language? Obviously there are examples where people go insane with it, but on the whole I think it's a fair concept.

Then again, this forum is not for political views (I hope not) and the format isn't very conducive to debating, so I'll just leave it at that.

ok :) - ian-hill, Mar 11, 2015

Answer 3

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it...

Quizas no me gusta lo que dice usted, pero defendería a la muerta su derecho a decirlo...

This was written by a British author over 100 years ago (it's sometimes attributed erroneously to Voltaire). Unfortunately since then this sense of freedom speech has been chided, made to feel ashamed of itself, and fettered, not so much in law but in practice, by a vocal whinging minority of wishy-washy, namby-pamby do-gooding liberal effetes who specialise not in doing anything in particular of merit, but in criticising others.

Why don't you say it as you see it amigo. :) Don't pull so many punches. - ian-hill, Mar 11, 2015

Oh, you're not a bigot though with your holier than thou conservative viewpoint. I'm not a liberal or a conservative, but evidently you are. - Ranman, Mar 11, 2015

What's bigoted ? Incidentally, I expressed my opinion in wholly impersonal terms, a standard which others might do well to follow... ;-) - Faldaesque, Mar 11, 2015

Bigoted means seeing things from only your viewpoint. Calling liberals wishy washy and so on is a bigoted view. - Ranman, Mar 11, 2015

And also it is offensive to members on this site who may be liberal. You know it is a 50/50 split. The planned result of a two party system. - Ranman, Mar 11, 2015

I've PMed you... - Faldaesque, Mar 11, 2015

Answer 4

HackerKing - This is to much to put into an answer, so I'm going to have to resort to "answering" my own question...

I agree, PC is perfectly innocent and fine when practiced by a specific company or group of individuals. It's harmless, admirable even! But when government and "Crap-italist" companies start enforcing this rule with everything and everyone, it has gotten out of hand.

For example, look at how ferociously Planned Parenthood retaliates with the slightest contradiction to their views. While some people may support their goals, most will (hopefully) admit that their methods are often the opposite of "Free-Speech".

You do make a good point though. Many things, even PC, are harmless in small amounts...

You should read Letters from the Earth by Mark Twain and see how thick skinned you are. - Ranman, Mar 11, 2015

Sorry, HCAStudent, I don't know what you're referring to. - AnnRon, Mar 12, 2015

Answer 5

I wanted to write a whole diatribe about this , but I guess all I wanted to say is that like all things we need to take the" middle path" and understand "all" viewpoints and allow common-sense to prevail ,thats all folks!

I agree with that but that is not why I come to this site to debate "Bud vs. Bud Lite" - Ranman, Mar 11, 2015

@Ranman , not sure what you mean mate , but I am talking about SD it all too quickly can go feral , we are here to learn Spanish not the ins and out of a Laplanders leotard . - ray76, Mar 12, 2015

@ Ranman , thanks mate , I just read your comment below , I see that we are on the same page on this, ;) - ray76, Mar 12, 2015

Answer 6

Me parece que aun lo que se dice sobre esta cuestión de lo apropriado político puede parece inapropriado... ¿ A donde va la libertad de expresión, entonces... ?

It seems to me that even speaking of political correctness can itself appear politically incorrect... So, what now for freedom of speech... ?

You should never discuss politics or religion at the bar, a family reunion or SD. Who would want to? That has nothing to do with freedom of speech. : ) - Ranman, Mar 12, 2015

I think political correctness is spelled with a small p, as we say in the UK, therefore safe to discuss at the bar... ;-) - Faldaesque, Mar 12, 2015

yeah, well here you can carry guns into the bar. Guns, alcohol and politics..........I don't see a problem, do you?: ) - Ranman, Mar 12, 2015