I can't really grasp why people are so hurt by others being not politically correct. In fact, I really dislike the whole idea of rephrasing things because certain words have negative connotations or what have you. Moreover, the fact of the matter is, we are supposed to be saying what we mean, and meaning what we say, but when this whole political correctness idea came about, we essentially chose to censor ourselves. Being politically correct means always having to say your sorry, I'M NOT FUCKING SORRY!!! I don't want to be sorry either. Why should I feel guilty about expressing my opinion. It's not a thing about tact, or being polite, it is not fair to speakers, where is the equality?
In our discussion today, (which was centered around public education and teaching about homosexuality) we brought up terms like "Fag" or "Dyke" or phrases like "that's so gay" and so on. I believe it should be understood by everyone that these terms, need to be looked at in terms of context. If no one is gay in your proximity, and you say "that's so gay" generally speaking they are saying it is "dumb" but WHO CARES? (it was brought up that making this stament belittles gay people by saying they are dumb or insignificant, not the case at all). I'll tell you who cares. The Gay community, wait, that term is no longer PC, are they the "Homosexual Community?" What do we call them, wait I can't say "them" because that implies they are different, or not part of the rest... BUT THEY ARE DIFFERENT! That's the point of establishing the community isn't it, seperating yourself from people who are different from you and identifying yourself with people of like minds? Aren't "they" trying to fight back and protect themselves (wait, themselves, I can't use that term either can I ?), against all the bad things that have happened to LBGT people.
Let me take this time to say that I really don't care who you choose to be with, if you are gay, or whatever, I JUST DON'T CARE. There are some great gay people out there and there are some terrible gay people too, I bet. The question of whether or not gay people are second class citizens or not, I don't think they aren't, however thats my opinion. This community needs to assert themselves. Isn't that the whole free speech and responsibility idea? PROTEST, pass out pamphlets, educate people, don't let yourself be oppressed. FIGHT BACK.
Back to the PC idea, how and when did it come about? Wikipedia defines it as "Political correctness (often abbreviated to PC) is a term used to describe language or behavior which is intended, or said to be intended, to provide a minimum of offense, particularly to racial, cultural, or other identity groups. A text that conforms to the alleged ideals of political correctness is said to be politically correct." The history they give states that this movement started about "in the 1990s, the term became part of a conservative challenge to curriculum and teaching methods on college campuses in the United States (D'Souza 1991; Berman 1992; Schultz 1993; Messer Davidow 1993, 1994; Scatamburlo 1998). In a commencement address at the University of Michigan in 1991, President George H. W. Bush spoke out against administrators and academics who would "declare certain topics off-limits, certain expressions off-limits, even certain gestures off-limits" (Glassner 1999)." However they state that it can be traced back to 1793 in a US Supreme Court case of Chisholm v. Georgia."
(Wikipedia reminds me of Starship Troopers, remember how the Propaganda Commercials always said "Do You Want to Know More?" Then in another window it goes on in more detail and gives back story... Wikipedia is the same way, I mean look at all the hyperlinks in the paragraph I copied.)
Back from that tangent, in the end, we as a people need to stop letting people with thier own agendas tell us how we are supposed to express ourselves, no one should be able to decide what is and is not ok to talk about. NOTHING OUGHT TO BE OFFLIMITS! (Well thats where freespeech and responsibility comes in again.) I don't want to contradict myself, and I fear this statement will do just that, however, I would like to say it anyways, somethings shouldn't be said at certain times, so the Supreme Court's time/place/manner limitations on free speech makes sense.
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8 comments:
I loved your post! “I’m not fucking sorry” - made me lol. While I agree with you about censorship, I disagree that we as a community have to “tolerate” certain words. See the problem I see in your PC comment about using phrases like “that’s so gay” being ok “If no one gay in your proximity” is YOU don’t know that for sure. With that said, by using those phrases you associate gay with dumb, at least it is implied by your choice of words. This is where Free Speech meets Responsibility. However, I agree with you that the terms, or phrases have to be looked at in terms of context. Language is tricky and depending on who says it and how it’s said, the same phrase can be interpreted differently and be associated as a “good” or “bad” connotation. But, technically speaking we can say what we want when we want right? Or should we be careful not to offend “the other” whoever that “other” may be. In my opinion, I’ve experienced discrimination based on the color of my skin, so I try not to discriminate or make others feel bad by my choice of words. That’s just me though and I don’t mean for you or any others who chose to use certain terms for certain groups, any offense.
Oh, i understand that you never know who is what, and I guess, one could mean something good by saying "thats gay" (or whatever) and again, thats where context comes in. Yes, this is where free speech and responsibility meet. I agree. I am to be held accountable for what I say, and if someone has a problem with my words, as you know, I am happy to engage them in discussion. Also, that statement came with a caveat, that being it was the argument brought up in class. I am not condoning it per say, I am expressing my apathy in regards to that statement.
We are definitely going to come up to this topic again in the course so I'm glad to see you testing the waters here. It may be, as militant otter says, a question of how "free speech meets responsibility." I know for me, as a gay man, to hear "that's so gay" mean a terrible thing does sting a little. Not sure I want to censor it, but I may want to respond with more speech, like "Hey, I am gay and that kind of thing offends me." Not that YOU are offending me, since I know you are asking us to think about the question and I do appreciate that. :)
When did the word gay stop meaning "lighthearted and carefree" and start meaning something negative (dumb)? Setting aside the homosexual connotation of the word for a moment... what is it with Americans' using words in a manner that is incompatible with their definitions? Are we so sarcastic as a nation that we have forgotten entirely what words really mean? Or is it truly that we are that DUMB? I guess we are busy trying to sound "cool." You say that people ought to be able to say what they want without worrying about hurting everyone else's feelings. What is so wrong with being respectful of other people's feelings? I know that it is not possible to make everyone happy all of the time, and that at some point someone is going to be offended or hurt by my comments. However, I don't see any reason to be proud of that fact. I'm all for being an independent person, but I don't see the point in the need to broadcast the fact that people are inconsiderate, insensitive, ignorant wretches either. Where do you draw the line?
We could all take a step in the right direction by using words in the English language as they are defined. We have enough misunderstandings between cultures and communities as it is. Either that or Ignorance and Sarcasm are going to end up being the next "languages" on the ballot.
English is a language that is currently evolving and still growing. Words take on new meanings and new phrases pop up everyday, even new dialects (i.e. Ebonics).
If you can't speak your mind and are too afraid of hurting other people's feelings to express what it is you feel in terms you choose to use, then what does this inalienable right to freedom of speech really give you? The right to apologize? Fuck that!
When debating the US Constitution, some of our founding fathers thought that the bill of rights and the 1st amendment were unnecessary, because they were generally accepted as not needing to be specified to be protected. Having the added benefit of the 1st amendment to a Constitution over 200 years old allows a person to be able to say what they want without fear of reproach or condemnation. But, it is that reproach and condemnation that leads to debate and stimulates the 'marketplace of ideas'. I'm not one to beat a dead horse (although I hear it's a load of fun), but part of that debate needs to be the use of colloquialisms in a manner that might offend some people, and it is our right to do so at our leisure.
Hurting people's feelings as a result of speech is not a good thing. I am not really promoting it per se, however, I would like to be able to say what I mean and mean what I say. I can't always do that (where free speech and responsibility meet). Also, there's this whole problem of people not knowing what they are saying, in that, the words they choose are wrong or the terms have adapted distorting their intended messages. As is the case with the term gay, at one point it meant "jovial" and now has evolved into something more ugly. The same is true for countless other words (which I would bet you're well aware of).
I think the point I was trying to get at was that in primary school we were taught the rhyme "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Since then we have moved to become a nation of people who are easily hurt by words. When did we throw this out the window?
Also, we must all stop taking things so personally, if we stop taking things as personal attacks, and realize the problem is generally with the person saying it, then we can live happier lives.
Thank you for providing me with a link to this blog. I am glad that I am not the only one who feels the way you do. I think people need to study the contexts in which words are being used. You are totally right about everything you stated in this blog. Thank you for your kind comments, and I must say I love the fact that you have a voice in your blogs.
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