From: ml (mbtlehn@ix.netcom.com)
Date: Tue Aug 31 2004 - 18:06:00 BST
Hello Anthony,
----- Original Message -----
From: <ant.mcwatt@ntlworld.com>
To: <moq_discuss@moq.org>
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2004 10:25 AM
Subject: MD Political Correctness
> David Buchanan stated August 29th 2004:
>
> > The right has
> > been using political correctness as a rhetorical bludgeon the left for
at
> > least a decade. It's all part of the angry-white-men thing. Apparently,
lots
> > of conservatives are upset that its no longer socially acceptable to
refer
> > to black people as "niggers" and such. Isn't it ironic that they feel
> > oppressed by the demand that they stop oppressing others?
>
>
> Ant McWatt comments:
>
> Just to add to David's comment here, I would certainly be interested in
discovering the history of the term "political correctness". As a student
of mine once remarked, it was probably just invented by a spin-doctor with
right-wing sympathies to undermine non-conservative views. It is a process
of stigmatisation employed by politicians or other commentators to avoid
having a full and proper debate with views they seek to denigrate. As such,
I'd definitely agree with the sentiment that the use of the term "political
correctness" is a blight on [the] intellect.
>
mel:
I suspect that Political Correctness came out of academia as an
attempt to become consciously sensitive in the use of language.
I recall in the 70's, hearing students in my university classes both
correct each other and be corrected by professors who had bought
into softening gender reference for the gratification of that age's
feminism or breaking stereo-type references for the gratification of
specific ethnic or subscription groups.
As is often the case with such social artifacts the limit is found
only by exceeding it and experiencing the ridiculousness of the
extreme. Some learn from it to adjust, others find enough fault with
it to reject it.
Hence, the word 'nigger' has shock value (a success of PC)
also the word niggardly, unrelated, has resulted
in public ridicule of the user. (a failure of PC in ignorance.)
thanks--mel
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