InsideTech

Our society has so far overextended itself in order to not offend anyone or hurt anyones feelings, it completely absolves people from the responsibilities of facing and correcting their problems and inadaquacies. That is very counter productive.

I can use myself as a perfect example. I happen to be about 30 pounds overweight. (The fact is, that's actually a comfortable weight for me.) By any definition, I am what is considered "fat". I am well aware of this fact. I also know that with a proper exercise regimen, I could lose that excess weight. The responsibility for it is mine and mine alone. Now, if you were to call me "weight challenged" for example, that would imply that it is a condition that I have no control over, and relieves me of the responsibility to do something about it. That notion is patently absurd.

Call me "fat" and I'll respect your honesty. I already accept the reality. Call me "weight challenged" and I'll take it as an insult, because you actually had to put in some effort to phrase it in a politicly correct manner so as to spare my feelings from your perception of reality.

Now the real question: By calling me "weight challenged", are you doing it to spare MY feelings (and I have no sensitivity about my weight), or are you doing it to relieve YOUR conscience about being insensitive enough to notice and be bothered by it? Think about it.

People now days go to such extremes not to offend anyone, that I find it very offensive.

I'm NOT by any stretch of the immagination saying that we should go out of our way to offend people. Quite the contrary. I just don't think we need to get stupid about it.

ok your "fat" haha.

if you look at the british people they are very blunt.

i know a english lady and she is a little blunt... i like it. i feel if someone beats around the bush its just a waste of my time. get it out and make it easier for the both of us.

i think when you say society you really mean american society.

i now live in the DC metro area and i see that people are rude when they dont need to be and too polite when they also dont need.

when it comes to face to face conversation people care for your feelings too much.

get someone to hold the door around here is a task in the making.

I think the basis of "political correctness" is because people don't know how to talk to each other anymore, or solve their differences in a mature adult manner. People WANT a reason to get offended, and political correctness has just given them another reason.

Political correctness is a sad attempt at trying to push out the offense so there's no problem to have to be dealt with to begin with.

Sometimes I honestly feel like people wether they know each other or not are just looking for a reason to fight in general anymore.

Negative personal feelings have been given too much place in our society, which in turn I honestly believe has made people more willing to sweep things under the rug or ignore them at all rather than deal with them.

Political correctness is just a convenient way to not have to deal with personal responsibility, which doesn't seem to exist anymore.

Maybe if people would actually deal with their problems we wouldn't have such an angry society at large that we had to talk baby talk to just so they don't get mad and throw a tantrum.

Good post Beachgirl, thanks.

Phread,

I agree. I'm fat. Actually I'm medically considered obese. It's one thing if your haveing a discussion about fat people and how to solve the problem of obeseity in America. I would not be offended if someone referred to "fat people" in a conversation like that. I do wonder why it is a topic of dicussion and debate though because the answer in my case is to stop using food as a cruch. I know from a past experience that I can survive and be healthy with only one to two meals a week if they are healthy ones but I continue to eat out of boredom and depression. 3 meals a day plus in between snacks and late night snacks. I know for some it's genetic. I just have a hard time exepting the notion of helplessness that comes from not taking responsability for lack of self disipline. And maybe I'm just like you, comfortable with my weight. It's the rest of society who has a problem with it.

I would be offended if "Joe Blow" walks up and says "hey, your fat." My response might be "yeah and your an a-hole, so what of it?"

If it bothers someone that much that I'm fat, they have mental problems they need to deal with.

Theoden,

LOL nice list. I'll have to remember some of those.

Beachgirl,

A lot of good points. I don't like to use the words hate and despise so much but to be honest those words more correctly convey the feeling.

Two things stood out in the hate list. Stupid people and arrogance. Not saying this is you cause there are different levels of each and I don't want to take it out of your intended context, but I hear a lot of arrogant people say they hate stupid people. My cousin for example says he loathes stupid people. I think he thinks using the word loathe makes him inteligent. He's a pretty smart guy but I've seen him do some stupid things and he is a total arrogant ass.

While on the subject of stupidity I'll go ahead and make myself sound arrogant. ;-) I find myself wanting to smack the stupidity out of many so called religious people. I don't dispise religion, I just dispise the people who use it to rationalise everything they do and think when as you said, there is no logic or evidence behind it. I am not an atheist but my spiritual belief doesn't fit in with any form of organised religion. Mine is based solely on what I feel in my own heart and soul to be undisputable truths and it is of no concern to me- other than sympathy for their loss- if other people agree with my feelings on whats really going on.

To all of society,

I too, think that political correctness is a cover up for people who feel a need to say something about someone else but want to feel ok about doing so. Try just keeping your mouth shut and minding your own business! If there is a legitimate need to discuss something just use the correct teminology. ie. fat people are fat.

One thing bothers me though. The word retard is a bad word because it has been made that way by people using it in a hurtful manner. Retarded means slow and it used to be an acceptable term. It has already been ruined by society so I would think it is correct to say "mentally challenged." if you referr to a retarded person as retarded, society will be sure to let them know that it's a bad thing and something they should feel bad about. Society sucks!

I'm not a fan of beeing politicaly correct. my thought is that this is just a way of saying or describing somthing as a name only with no ethical meening.  example would be saying craker vs White (im not black so i thought this would be an OK term) both of them at the end have the same definition. yet some white people think that being called that is an insult.

My opinon is this its not the word given. its how the person takes it. and because we have to be open to every ones fealings we have to stick to the right words or you are saying somthing that even though not ment that way is a bad term. well what about comedians. they say things as a mater of fact wont usaualy do to will with out insults and what does every one do. they laugh and they think he is just joking but how can you be sure. i am a guy of comedy that is the key reason i dont like this. we need to get our heads out of what sociology statistialy say and get more into individuality.

isimmons says ...

To all of society,

I too, think that political correctness is a cover up for people who feel a need to say something about someone else but want to feel ok about doing so. Try just keeping your mouth shut and minding your own business! If there is a legitimate need to discuss something just use the correct teminology. ie. fat people are fat.

Give em hell isimmons!!!

isimmons says ...

"... One thing bothers me though. The word retard is a bad word because it has been made that way by people using it in a hurtful manner. Retarded means slow and it used to be an acceptable term. It has already been ruined by society so I would think it is correct to say "mentally challenged." if you referr to a retarded person as retarded, society will be sure to let them know that it's a bad thing and something they should feel bad about. Society sucks!"

 

 

 I Appaude You! 

I am very blunt and to the point!  I call things the way I see them! If you cannot deal with that to bad.  I am constantly being called on my forward thinking, but I have to tell what I see as the truth.  Truth is a matter of perspective, and your truth may not line of with mine but that is what makes this life fun.  All of my true friends, and there are only a few, can tell me anything they want about anything, and we do not have to agree.  But, we always agree on one thing in the end and that is our right to disagree!

it seems correct now a days to talk behind someones back and rude to say it to their face. i find that odd. i want to know what you think. so say it to my face

Phreadd says ...

That is precisely the point Linda. Politicly correct speech is designed SPECIFICLY to talk about things that needn't be talked about in the first place. It's just a way to paint a pretty face on being rude. And who decides what constitutes a "shortcoming" anyway? I've known people in wheel chairs that get around as well as, and in some cases better than, people who have full use of their legs.

Yes, being Politically Correct does seem to be a license to be rude.  A 70+ year old neighbor was talking about a person I admire for their work in the community, and she said, "You know that's the girl that has the ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE."  I was shocked and asked her, "What the *&^%$ does that have to do with anything!?"

"Now with that said I do not believe that we should be purposely setting off to offend people but, we should re-enfroce our back bones more."

I may be an old Pagan, but AMEN!  That's almost a quote of my favorite bumpersticker "Political Correctness is for those with no spine of their own." Now if only I could find one for my car...  Maybe I'm arrogant, or just too damned jaded to care, but I live in a black-n-white world. If it's wrong, it's WRONG - if it's right, it's RIGHT.  Phread, I'm not sure how far this thread will run, but thank you for starting it.

While there are circumstances where I believe curbing your tounge is the proper thing to do, those have more to do with what's polite and courteous - i.e.  "Excuse me dear, but you could use a little freshening up" as opposed to "DAMMIT WOMAN YOU STINK!"  As well, a certain amount of sensitivity goes a long way - i.e. you will never hear the "N"-word out of my mouth in reference to a Black person, nor will I tolerate someone calling me "Fag".  Outside of that realm, however, all bets are off. Those who know me well will tell you that my range of "Tact and Grace" can go from god-like to a tird-in-the-punchbowl in under 2.3 pico-seconds. It all just depends on how I react to the stimulii of the moment.

Perhaps the greatest influence in my life was my Grandma - she taught me 5 important things in life:

1. Don't piss on my shoes and tell me "it's raining."

2. Pee in my Cheerio's and I'll crap in your Wheaties.

3. You'll never smell the flowers with your head stuck up your arse.

4. If the storm moves neither to the left or to the right you are standing in its path.

5. Humans are such amusing creatures... I think I'll eat one.

Now you know why they call me Mommie Dammit.

checkel says ...

The way I see it, the world will always be in shades of grey.  (if you play d&d at all, think chaotic nuetral.)   I personally follow the creed "an harm to none, do as thou wilt".  however, I may interpret it differently than some of my fellow pegans.  I see it as a reminder of consequences.  it's more like "and accepting the consequences, do as thou wilt"  I know most actions do some form of harm, however small it may be, and I accept that.  Science does state for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction...   I figure, so long as the action taken has concequences I can live with, it's an action I can take.  

Checkel, that is one of the greatest philosophies I've ever heard, and I've lived by it most of my life. For that reason, I have a lot of respect for you pagans (The real ones that truly follow the beliefs, not the people who play at it as a social fad).

checkel says ...

...I personally follow the creed "an harm to none, do as thou wilt".  however, I may interpret it differently than some of my fellow pegans.  I see it as a reminder of consequences.  it's more like "and accepting the consequences, do as thou wilt"  I know most actions do some form of harm, however small it may be, and I accept that...

Having practiced a Pagan faith for over 30 years, Checkel, I congratulate you on your understanding of the Wiccan Rede. "An ye harm none, do as ye will..."  is partner to a second writ called The Law of the Trine (sometimes called the Three-Fold Law) that has been a central tenet throughout my life on the Old Path:

"Whatsoever ye do, be it good or be it evil, shall be returned unto you  three-fold."  

This too speaks to the consequences of our actions, as well as the personal responsibility we bear for all our thoughts, words, and actions. It speaks of judgement rendered here and now, not some eithereal hereafter. There is no forgiveness, no escape clause, from the Law of the Trine - the rules are simple. You do - you pay (or are rewarded), and the price/prize is big! In light of that, I would have to say that I agree with your thought that circumstances could play a significant role in my reaction to, or treatment of another. That said, we all have our limits - it's when we are pushed beyond those limits that we must weigh our actions... And this is where so many fail. We don't think of the consequences, we simply react to stimuli - and never take responsibility for the fall-out. It's you're fault! You made me do it! Or to the other extreem of victimization - i can't help it! I have issues...  

All said and done, I think PC started as an extension of cultural awareness - but somewhere along the sound-byte timeline it got co-opted by anal retentive sado-masochists who's only joy in life was setting about ruining the joy for the rest of us. Unfortunately they have - in large part - succeeded. I, however, refuse to give in to their tyranny - a great deal of the terminology makes me laugh, and the majority of it I find rediculous or insulting and refuse to use it. For example - and my apologies to people of color who may not agree, but this IS my opinion - the term "African-American" and others like it. My response to that is (after the Teurettes incites me to scream BULLSHIT) "so which are you? African or American? If you're an African what are you doing here?" The same goes for the Mexican- , Asian- , Whateveren- comes down the pipe. To be blunt - and I usually am - you're either American or something else. If you're something else, go home - we have more than enough here already. Do I refer to myself as a European-American? No. In the first place it would be a lie, as there is every bloodline imaginable in my ancestry to some quantity or another. But because the majority of it is German and Russian, should I refer to myself as some hyphenated-American? No. And neither should you. We have only one nationality here - American. That word comes first, and solo. While I'm disgusted with our political leadership, and not overly fond of much thats going on in this country, it's still the only one that lets me say all of this without fear of the Ghestappo (sp?) breaking down my.... oh, wait a minute... that's right! We have one of those now too! Homeland Security - a.k.a. Bushie's Bootjacks. Damn! I guess that means I'm moving to Canada.