"Aggie definition of "politically correct"" Topic

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Even though I hate when people say "At least I am not politically correct!" as an excuse for being a rude snot, I find this amusing.

That's ing funny.

Whoop!

Wow, equating minorities with s. That's definitely not politically correct, as advertised.

It is not talking about ethnic minorities. It is simply saying that the ideals of a small percentage of the population are being shoved down all our throats:

"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a by the clean end."

CC
PS. Thanks John. I needed that today.

The funnier thing is, the term is rarely if ever used by the left. It's nearly always used by the right, and politicized in the media by the right, as a reason not to be sensitive to others. If you then read the definition with proper context in mind, it's even funnier.

I like it!

mjc

While I completely agree that the modern PC movement has gotten way out of hand, I think that's more a function of escalation.

I've long suspected that the term "Politically Correct" was actually invented by the right to ridicule the left's desire to curb bigotry in speech. As in, "Well, it may not be POLITICALLY correct to say [Y], but we all know it's the truth!" In other words, "[Group X] will think I'm a bigot for saying [Y], but I know you feel the same way, so I'm saying it anyhow because I have no regard for [group X]!"

[As an aside, I much prefer to use the word "Bigot" instead of "Racist", because "Racist" is used incorrectly so often these days.]

Now to get back to "Language" before I veer to far into Blue Fez territory:

One of the original intents of the movement now called "PC" was to try (in a creepy nod to Orwell) to influence society by changing the manner in which we express ourselves. The theory being, does it really hurt anyone to NOT use expressions such as "I Jewed him out of X bucks"? It's the verbal equivalent of punching everyone you walk by in the gut, just because "they should either toughen up their abs or stay the hell outta my fist's way!" Put another way, if you train people to not insult each other's race/color/creed in casual expression, then maybe they'll be less hostile in general. It has clearly not had the desired effect, if any.

So, what do people think of the actual possibility and/or morality of manipulating culture through language?

I always thought that good old fashioned politeness and a hint of common sense and respect pretty much takes care of 99% of the problems political correctness allegedly tried to tackle.

I am with Patrick R here. For instance, the correct term to use when describing a male that is attracted to other men has changed all over the place with some terms that once were negative now being adopted as the newest proper term. Same thing goes with the use of what I consider to be the worst term in the english language – starts with an n. It can be used by one minority when talking to each other, but anyone else using it is strung up.
Ther term PC is used more by those on the right since the PC movement has arisen out of the left to limit speech. Some of that speech is stupid and offensive, but I think idiots ought to be allowed to self identify freely so we can avoid them.
A similar phenomena occurs from the right with patriotism defined in some ways to limit discussion of some topics.
Let's face it, at least in the US, the sides are pretty cutthroat and want to define the debate such that the other side is prevented from making their best argument.
I could go on, but not on this board

I'm not sure political correctness limits speech. Anyone can say anything they want so long as they are willing to bear the brunt of anyone who feels contrary. Much of polite society reinforced bigotry through common speech, even in my youth. I think it's OK to have such social reinforcement stating that it isn't OK as well.

I've long suspected that the term "Politically Correct" was actually invented by the right to ridicule the left's desire to curb bigotry in speech.

The term "politically correct" first burst onto the public in a Newsweek (of all places!) article a few years ago. The term DEFINITELY has its genesis in the Left.

Tom Clancy's "Patriot Games" definitely pre-dates the popularity of "politically correct" as a pejorative. There is one scene in the book where the IRA faction splitter/splinter group is assuring the Black Panther splinter group that the operation they are about to carry out against Jack Ryan is "politically sound".

Is it still politcally correct to make fun of Aggies?
I know that Catholics are fair game.

While the term "politically correct" likely was originated as a liberally minded concept, it has become a perjoritive term (as John suggests) that has been co-opted by the right (as NYCJadie suggests). I mean, heck, the link is to the National Review, and the source of the story is Texas A & M.

BTW, at the risk of ticking some here off a bit, isn't linking directly to the National Review, with it's politically charged masthead and content, essentially posting politics here on the main boards?

Why do these good threads start on TMP and not TBF? I won't pursue this one, HERE, either (other than to observe that I find the concept of a t.u.r.d. having a clean end amusing)….

Patrick R – I agree 100% that some common decency and politeness would be the superior solution, but you can't rely on either of those virtues these days.

isn't linking directly to the National Review, with it's politically charged masthead and content, essentially posting politics here on the main boards?

No.

Maybe.

Wow! Even Aggies make sense sometimes. Hook 'em.

What are aggies

I don't even understand that definition. Are they making a dig at the concept (of not needlessly offending people*), at the "mainstream media **", or simply at establishments of a different philosophical outlook to Texas A&M university?

* I'm quite open to the idea that sometimes it's needful to offend someone.

** Which never seems to include Fox News …

(edit – Oh for goodness' sake, Bill, now you're censoring censorship itself? When did "a * *" succumb to the bleep machine?)

Mrs P, 'aggies' (properly 'Aggies') are graduates,
students, fans or those who are somehow affiliated
(particularly in sports) with The Texas College of
Agriculture and Mining (former name), nowadays pretty
much known simply as Texas A&M.

Slight correction to Ed's posting. The original name is Texas Agriculture and Mechanical College.

I'm not sure political correctness limits speech. Anyone can say anything they want so long as they are willing to bear the brunt of anyone who feels contrary.

Well, it is an attempt to limit speech, through social pressure – just like common politeness is.
-Kle.

Social pressure, which is quite legitimate and sound is also backed by arcane ordinances against certain forms of speech – primarily in US institutes of higher learning. This has been backed by labeling some arguments as "hate speech."
Some of this yeilds to imbalances. Prince Harry was hounded for wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume party (sounds good Nazis really should not be glorified – though wargaming has plenty of folks willing to wear the Das Reich World Tour T shirts), but Cameron Diaz can be surprised that Maoist sayings on a purse would be offensive to a nation that had suffered under the shining path or Che Guevara images can be happily sold on baby clothes. link
I cannot imagine Heydrich onesies for your neonazi baby.

Based on my one visit to Aggieland I can saw that, while they are different, Aggies have many positive points. All the people we met were unfailingly helpful and polite to us Furrinurs. Seeing 3 tiers of the student stand at Kyle Field marooned out was pretty impressive.
As a group their pride in their college, state & country is outstanding. Last year I read an article that A&M alumni had the second highest casualty rate for troops serving in Iraq, only West Point had lost more. Collectively Aggies may not be politicly correct but they can 'walk the walk'.

While the term "politically correct" likely was originated as a liberally minded concept

As I recall, the term came into modern parlance in China during The Great Leap Forward.

My bad, WacoJoe, but I was told the 'Mining' part
when I visited the campus back in '66…

Buff – Though I'm a "t-sip" and don't generally see eye-to-eye with my Aggie colleagues, I would never question an Aggie's loyalty or patriotism without good cause to do so.

I'm still interested in the question of the viability of controlling thought through language usage. I know a number of people have posited that it works, but are there actually any real-life examples of it doing so? Or are they so numerous that I can hardly see the forest for the trees?