Quote:
Originally Posted by Elfwreck
The phrase "politically correct" was popularized by people who wanted to dismiss accusations that they were being offensive. It contains the assumption that being considerate of people's identity and history, and changing your speech to show that awareness, is a form of censorship.
I don't expect people to keep up with every issue involving discrimination or oppression, or to understand all the nuances of cultural appropriation and unthinking prejudice. Most people try to be decent to each other, even if they step on each others' toes from time to time. But all too often, I see the phrase "I'm not PC" used as a euphemism for "I'm going to be a rude, arrogant jerk, and anyone who doesn't like it is a spineless wimp who caves into peer pressure."
At best, it comes off as, "I'm going to ignore any claims that I'm contributing to racism, sexism, or any other form of institutional discrimination." And really? Nobody's that perfect.
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Very good post! Bill Mahar notwithstanding, much of what is derided these days as "Political Correctness" was in former days known as good, old-fashioned common courtesy and consideration of others.