Preview

Politically Correct Language

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
665 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Politically Correct Language
Politically correct language is language that avoids offending or ostracizing particular groups of people – the word “homosexual” is the politically correct version of the word “faggot”. While politically correct language prevents conflict, and improves individuals and communities, it also has limitations. Sometimes it can disrupt the meaning and impact of the message we are trying to portray. Because of this, it is important to find an extent of political correctness that still enables freedom of speech. While people can define us by the language we use, the language we use also defines us. Being politically correct can make us better people. The way the receiver of our message construes our message determines whether it is politically correct. What is considered politically correct varies from person to person; while one Asian might find the term “chink” humorous, another might find it degrading. As a result, being politically correct requires assessing how the receiver of our message differs from ourselves, and how we can remain tactful despite these differences. This forces us to accept that people have varying beliefs; sometime sit even forces us to refine our own. Similarly, while we can define a community by the language the people within that community use, the language the people within a community use defines the relationships within that community. Being politically correct can improve the community we live in by creating an atmosphere where everyone is comfortable with sharing their ideas, without feeling restrained by the fear of being penalized for thinking differently. This enables us to productively debate diverse viewpoints, and broaden our own. It ensures that the future generation will learn how to be tolerant from a very young age, which is essential for the development of society. While being politically correct seems ideal, it also has limitations. Take the news. People trust the news to objectively impart what is happening in the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Censorship in America

    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Taylor, Charles. "Censorship is Not an Effective Way to Protect Children." n.d. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 8 April 2012.…

    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Despite originating in early 1990, the term political correctness did not gain notable traction until more recent years. Today the term political correctness is aimlessly thrown about in the political arena from both sides of the aisle-but what does the term truly mean? Does it achieve its purpose? To fully understand the complexities surrounding this ideology, one must first examine the raw intention and foundation of the term. Political correctness is wildly accepted as the avoidance of expressions, actions, or microaggressions that can be perceived to offend, marginalize, or exclude specific groups of people who are inherently socially disadvantaged and/or discriminated against. However well intended the terms roots may be, political correctness in America has rose to a dangerously high level; the unwavering effort by the politically correct conscious to avoid offending any certain group or individual has lead to a highly sensitive, censored, and tip-toeing society.…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Solitary Confinement

    • 3661 Words
    • 15 Pages

    Arguably, the majority of Americans can agree on the idea that America is one of the most politically correct countries in the world. No other country in the world spends more time and more money on ensuring that its people are happy with every little minute detail that they could construe as rude or insensitive. Not even countries like Australia, who’s Prime Minister appeared on national television told his countryman that in Australia the language that all road signs and television channels will be English; and if anyone had a problem with that then they could excuse themselves from the country. For all of America’s interest in public affairs one major problem has seemed to slip through the cracks. Whether it’s because people don’t know or whether people just don’t care, no one seems to be talking about solitary confinement.…

    • 3661 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Thesis: The American society has become so politically correct, that no one is able to speak their mind without facing major judgment or discrimination.…

    • 1907 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    According to Matt K. Lewis of the Week Magazine,” Now, Ben Carson is very much against political correctness in general. He makes a point of saying so. During his famed National Prayer Breakfast speech, he said: "PC is dangerous because, you see, this country, one of the founding principles was freedom of thought and freedom of expression. And [political correctness] muffles people. It puts a muzzle on them. And, at the same time, keeps people from discussing important issues, while the fabric of this society is being changed." The issue on being politically correct has kept many people from saying what they want to say or feel like saying for risk of being seen as a prejudiced person. We must stand up for what we believe in and not suppress our thoughts, and feelings. According to LifeCourse Associates, magazine article “Another factor is widespread disaffection with the political establishment. Voters fed up with years of public-sector paralysis are buying into the argument that political correctness stifles the ability of our nation’s leaders to speak freely and act decisively “(Why do millennials love political correctness? Generational Values, Howe) According to a Rasmussen poll, 71% of Americans think “political correctness is a problem in America today,” up from 58% four years ago—with little difference across age groups. At a campaign event in New Hampshire, back in October, Ben Carson…

    • 759 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kakutani's "Word Police".

    • 1178 Words
    • 4 Pages

    "Political correctness" defined by Kakutani as "a vision of a more just, inclusive society in which racism, sexism and prejudice of all sorts have been erased," (421) has good intent, but the methods used by politically correct activists to achieve their goals are too extreme. This, in turn, will just lead to the "scorn of conservative opponents and the mockery of cartoonists and late-night television hosts" (421). To validate her claim, Kakutani uses the example of a woman changing "testimony" to "ovarimony" at a Modern Language Association. This illustration supports her claim…

    • 1178 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Nicholas Barber believes that we have become too politically correct. He argues that we have become too sensitive and that we censor our right to speak our minds, most commonly known as freedom of speech. I agree with Barber that we have become too politically correct,…

    • 107 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Being politically correct is incredibly important to society, because a lot of it is just not being offensive towards other people. The term politically correct originated from Communists and Socialist in the mid 20th century to insultingly to language that was in the party line. At the start of the 1990’s being politically correct became a huge deal to people in America and the UK , it sort of showed the rejection of racism, homophobia and everything else offensive(It’s Time to Get Real About). Although there seems to be quite an unclear line between stating an opinion and being downright offensive.…

    • 622 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This article was written about the topic of political correctness in American society. This is a very relevant subject in today’s political issues. Not until recently, has America seen such a push towards this idea of political correctness, to avoid saying certain statements, facts, or truths, just because it may “offend” an opposing viewpoint. The author believes that political correctness is extremely detrimental to American…

    • 1047 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Hate Speech in Colleges

    • 1613 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Even though there has been a large increase in the number of hate speech codes in colleges and universities, the increase in the amount of hate speech incidents across the nation shows that these guidelines are ineffective. While hate speech codes attempt to create a safer more politically correct environment on college campuses by establishing principles and guidelines for students to follow, they are inherently ineffective because they are only attempting to cover up hate speech and are not addressing the root of the problem-hate. Also, they contradict the First Amendment of the United States constitution which entitles everyone to freedom of speech. Hate speech codes are merely guidelines and principles. In order to make a real difference in the atmosphere of today 's increasingly multicultural college campuses, college administrators and student leaders must work together to combat ignorance and create a respectful more tolerant environment by changing the mindset of students.…

    • 1613 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    The Bill of Rights, Amendment I states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” (Bill of Rights). These rights were basically protecting what people say, and write, however, we are slowly loosing those rights. We have to worry now about offending someone because of our language, or saying something that is considered politically incorrect. A quote that has made a big difference in my perception when dealing with people is “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”. (Lydgate) As I grow older, I see this to be so true. If you look around, you see people being offended more and more. When you please one group, then another group will be offended. There is no way to please everyone, even with claiming terms are politically correct/incorrect. We are in a vicious cycle of using a word in the proper context, it being misused, being changed to a politically correct word, then the word being misused again.…

    • 1173 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    College students that belong to the majority group usually aren’t fond of being told that their unintentional actions mean they’re actually a racist. Conversely, those who support these checks on language grow more angry, discouraged that their majority counterparts cannot agree with strict rules on communication. Whenever something offensive is spoken, students adopt a victimized sense of self, creating a tirade of upheaval. Rather than developing mob mentality, calling for major change, peaceful discussion should instead be…

    • 742 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I suspect that no community will become humane and caring by restricting what its members can say. The worst offenders will simply find other ways to irritate and insult.”…

    • 905 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The setting seems the present day USA. The piece is thus contemporary. The context is an America soiled by random ignorant bigots and the all too abundant populous of “It’s OK”-sayers who deftly shrug and say, “Everyone is entitled to their opinion” when hate is openly voiced. The piece was written in response to others feeling it is OK for others to voice racist opinions/beliefs—specifically an occasion when a news program polled musicians who thought it was OK for Eminem to use hateful anti-gay lyrics.…

    • 552 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lawrence expresses concern that allowance of hate speech normalizes the treatment of minority groups as second class citizens and can potentially give rise to increasing displays of verbal and physical aggression. In the 27 years since the essay’s publication he has been proven right by my estimation, which concerns over political correctness and censorship increasing the number of spaces in which slurs and ethnic stereotyping are considered acceptable. This has resulted in an increased visible presence of groups using exclusionary and fascist rhetoric in public political consciousness, which in recent years has led to increased concessions to these groups in both media and legislation. Counter intuitively I do not think this has decreased or increased the number of people who hold views that could be considered hateful in nature, merely allowed them to enjoy greater focus under the permissiveness of those who might otherwise contradict these views with enough determination to silence them.…

    • 1018 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics