Political Correctness Sensitivity vs. Tyranny Melinda Sue Brinton Taylor

Sensitivity vs. Tyranny Side A and Side B Using PC speech helps to: Protect people from unfair stereotypes Keeps people from offending others Protects our rights as citizens Raises the moral or standards in society Having PC speech is: Over stepping its bounds by– Infringing on peoples rights through language Tells people what and how they should think by what they can say Is against the 1st Amendment

Look briefly at beginnings of PC Methodology Look at what PC speech was meant to do originally to see if it is over stepping those bounds Look briefly at beginnings of PC Methodology

What are the origins of politically correct speech Many right wing critics claim that the origins of politically correct speech was inspired by Marxism, which based it’s emphasis on the idea that "the conflicts between the powerful and the subjugated"

Definitions for political correctness PC “is a term used to describe language, ideas, policies, or behavior seen as seeking to minimize offense to racial, cultural, or other identity groups.” The term politically incorrect is used in reference to language or ideas that might offend others. PC (As a linguistic concept) ‘using "inclusive" and "neutral" language is based upon the idea that "language represents thought, and may even control thought“’

PC Seeking to Minimize Offense Is it accomplishing it’s goal by minimizing offense? Deaf vs. Hearing Impaired Nearly all organizations of the deaf use the term “deaf” Examples: the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) WFD voted in 1991 to use “deaf” as an official term. Yet there are still many people who continue to use terms other than "deaf" and "hard of hearing". These terms are regularly seen in print, heard on the radio and television, etc. Another case in point: Blind vs. Visually Impaired

Who decides what is or isn’t politically correct As was shown PC terms do not always minimize offense; in fact, it can do the opposite. (deaf vs. hearing impaired) Is it infringing on other rights to decide what they should or shouldn’t be called? Is PC stepping over its limits; by limiting/ controlling our language, are our thoughts being controlled as well?

Sensitivity vs. Tyranny In being totally PC, fairness and equality to peoples offenses needs to be shown. Does PC fulfill this requirement A corrupt form of monarchy in which a person ruled in his own interest. Are people that decide what is and isn’t PC doing it according to some agenda they have?

Do PC critics have an agenda? “Critics of political correctness have been accused of showing the same sensitivity to choice of words they claim to be opposing, and of perceiving a political agenda where none exists.” Ex. song Baa baa black sheep Blackboard, black coffee

Survey Results 1.) Do you believe that Politically Correct speech has had an overall positive effect so far on our society? Y- 41.9% N- 58% 2.) Do you believe that it is ethical to pass laws requiring people to use politically correct speech? Y- 0% N- 80% 3.) If a community of people (i.e. blind, deaf, elderly) prefer the politically incorrect term over the traditional term (i.e. blind vs. visually impaired, deaf vs. hearing impaired, etc.) should the preferred term be considered acceptable? Y- 97% N- 0%

Survey Results 14.) Do you think that people should just use their own good judgment on what they should say? Y- 87% N- 9% 15.) Do you think that people should just use their own good judgment on how to interpret what people mean when they say things? Y- 87% N- 12.9%

Further Research Show if modern day PC is actually lowering the moral of society as opposed to raising it Ex. Gang - Youth Group Homeless - residentially flexible Homelessness - Mortgage-Free Living Unemployed - Involuntarily leisured Pregnant - parasitically oppressed Prostitute – sex care provider

Freedom of Speech “I have sworn upon the alter of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” -Thomas Jefferson