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Is political correctness in our modern society, being taken too far or have we got the balance right? What are your views?

Is political correctness in our modern society, being taken too far or have we got the balance right? What are your views?


Created By on 19/05/2014

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rc47
7th Nov 2016 11:39:15
-1
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I would much rather be correct in anything than incorrect.
[deleted]
23rd Mar 2018 09:40:02 (Last activity: 23rd Mar 2018 12:55:25)
1
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[deleted]
Response from jeanmark made on 23rd Mar 2018 12:55:25
Well Zena510 I think it depends on how people interpret the term PC. Some appear to take it to the extremes, I recently had a black friend ask why we are not allowed to say 'blackboard' but it was OK to say 'white board'. I thought that was a good point.

Like you I am fairly laid back about things but can not and will not accept any form of discrimination or prejudice. I also agree that people have the right to choose how they live their lives without being judged for their choice - unless it is against the law.
thistle58
21st Oct 2017 23:02:32
0
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the Scottish Government has just outlawed smacking your kids.....While I believe this is justifiable in so many respects....I also believe this is an infringement on privacy and the right to discipline your kids appropriately. I think abuse should be dealt with extremely. But I don't believe the government should take away the right to discipline your kids. 1984 by George Orwell rings a bell
Indiana
22nd May 2017 23:39:41
-2
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Political Correctness is Cultural Marxism aimed at not only controlling what we say but how we think. Welcome to a socialist Marxist future
angelrose
11th May 2017 15:18:56
1
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Our society has tied us in knots with the political correctness!
CaroleAH
28th Apr 2017 13:54:03 (Last activity: 29th Apr 2017 00:37:24)
-1
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Last night I went with friends to an Am-Dram production of "Betty Blue Eyes", a musical adapted from Alan Bennett's 1984 screenplay "A Private Function". It was very well done and we enjoyed it but I have to say that we were offended by the references to "the Jew boys from Manchester" and to the fact that the organisers of the posh dinner, in 1947 when food was still rationed, were going to have to do better than having only two turkeys to feed the guests because Jesus wasn't invited. These remarks were not pivotal to the plot so could have been left out. The question is - should they have been or are we being too PC?
Response from Treehugger1 made on 28th Apr 2017 17:44:17
Yes it makes you wonder doesn't it Carole. Would we have been offended when we were younger and there were programmes like the Black and White Minstrels for example when no-one batted an eyelid, but because these days we are all so conscious of being PC, we pick up on anything that just might be construed as racist/sexist........anything 'ist'? Food for thought indeed.
Response from CaroleAH made on 29th Apr 2017 00:37:24
I remember watching the Black & White Minstrels on the TV and seeing them every summer when they were at the Floral Hall in Scarborough - and I loved them! It never occurred to me, as a child, that these were white men 'blacked up' - I just loved the music. There's a programme on TV now called something like "It was ok in the seventies" and I cringe at some of the things which were said and done in these old programmes but we did actually think it was ok in those days - and they are only 40 years ago. I wonder what our world will be like in another 40 years - hopefully I shall be pushing up the daisies by then and won't care! 🙂
runhot
26th Apr 2017 05:51:47 (Last activity: 26th Apr 2017 18:12:26)
2
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In some ways political correctness is an absurdity. There is a vast difference between what is inappropriate and what should be illegal. Subjecting people to ridicule who have different opinions who do not agree with progressive or globalist ideology for example is in itself a form of oppression. The notion that we must ourselves only think as a particular belief system requires. One cannot reject others freedom to believe or think differently simply because what they think is different than what we believe. That is intolerant and oppressive itself. We must not substitute politics for religion and live our lives based on political beliefs as the cornerstone of our identity.
Response from Treehugger1 made on 26th Apr 2017 17:21:55
Well put runhot, I completely agree.
Response from jeanmark made on 26th Apr 2017 18:12:26
Would it?
Kezziedog
26th Nov 2016 14:45:20
1
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magdelina
14th Nov 2016 02:10:58 (Last activity: 14th Nov 2016 13:20:52)
2
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TOO FAR. I am from the PC capital of the world....Canada. You are afraid to open your mouth for fear of offending someone. You become so hyper -aware of it.....conversation becomes almost planned. People oughtta just suck it up and quit looking for these hidden insults.

The people who worry about it are actually the least likely to be that way anyway...the ones who don't worry...never will. So here we are back at square one again.
Response from KEITH_WL made on 14th Nov 2016 13:20:52
I have long been close friends with some former cricketing opponents in the West Midlands who are of West Indian origin. We are totally politically incorrect in the leg-pulling that goes on, with never any offence taken.

The PC crowd would be horrified.

Keith
Georgie Girl
4th Nov 2016 18:38:27 (Last activity: 4th Nov 2016 19:39:56)
0
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Is this topic still live as notice the date above?
Response from Georgie Girl made on 4th Nov 2016 18:39:41
Plus the dates below are all mixed up.
Response from jeanmark made on 4th Nov 2016 19:39:56
I thinks it's live if you want it to be.
ecarg
24th Oct 2016 11:45:11
0
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I think celtwitch you should have stated PC only works in UK for those who are not British not just English this is a common mistake especially by the media who often refer to English/England when referring to things concerning the whole of the UK .It's just not PC !
Wilf
19th Oct 2016 13:15:53 (Last activity: 20th Oct 2016 13:49:38)
1
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I agree but it is ment to help stop discrimination in our society
Response from jeanmark made on 19th Oct 2016 14:49:44
Unfortunately, it hasn't managed to stop that. It could even be suggested it has encouraged positive discrimination!
Response from KEITH_WL made on 19th Oct 2016 16:49:35
I too am no friend of positive discrimination, which is not the same as encouragement. Two of our children did badly at their first attempt at A-levels (largely due to my bad advice on at least one of their choices). We persuaded them to try again, with one change of subject. Both passed and got good degrees. I would have been horrified if they had been accepted in order to improve the male/female balance in universities. (Which, by the way, has happened without positive discrimination.)
Response from jeanmark made on 19th Oct 2016 18:14:14
I to would want to be judged on my knowledge and experience not my gender. As a ward sister I was much more interested in judging whether a person had the right attitude as well as knowledge and experience for the post being applied for. I didn't really care if they were male. female or martian.
Response from Wilf made on 19th Oct 2016 18:37:52
I agree with you Jean and I think the UK is one of the least discriminatory countries in the world. We are actually incredibly tolerant which is a great thing!
Response from KEITH_WL made on 19th Oct 2016 18:39:15
LOL! Can't resist, JeanMark, what qualities would you hope that a Martian would bring to the job?

Actually a serious additional point comes to mind here. Men and women are different animals to some extent. Some jobs will indicate a preference for one sex or the other (or perhaps even a Martian!)

Keith
Response from jeanmark made on 19th Oct 2016 18:45:14
Unfortunately some people interpret that as 'soft'.
Response from jeanmark made on 19th Oct 2016 20:03:55
I agree Keith and that should be taken into account when appropriate but only when appropriate. I was hoping Martians would be gender-neutral!
Response from KEITH_WL made on 19th Oct 2016 21:41:39
Oh this is leading us in unexpected directions! How do they reproduce?

Further to this, do you read science fiction? In the fifth book of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy (!) it is suggested that the future of the *human* race might be as hermaphrodites!

Keith
Response from jeanmark made on 20th Oct 2016 13:49:38
Sorry, I don't read science fiction and I have no idea how Martians reproduce but they may be hermaphrodites.
Progress
19th Oct 2016 03:46:01
1
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I think it is being taken FAR to far. It is stopping genuine discussion.
JamJarJill
4th Mar 2016 19:22:01 (Last activity: 18th Oct 2016 19:20:52)
7
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Walking past a staircase in a public building a Young child fell backwards, I managed to catch him, more by chance than anything, asked him if he was ok and when to walk away when the 'adult in charge' began haranguing me for touching a child inappropriately, fortunately another adult in the group stood up for me but I was told in future I should not touch a child! He could well have broken his neck but that seemed preferable to the adults in charge, I am still horrified that PC has got so out of control.
Response from Joan Fraser made on 12th Mar 2016 09:44:29
What an attitude you were faced with - I would have automatically reached out to a falling child too. No wonder you're horrified....I just wonder what lessons the child learned from that persons' reaction and attitude? You did nothing wrong-glad someone else in the company saw that too
Response from celtwitch made on 14th Jun 2016 09:54:50
I think that, in the case you have described, you were the victim of paedophobia,not PC.
Response from jeanmark made on 14th Jun 2016 10:20:58
I would agree with Celtwitch, this had nothing to do with being PC but more about the fear which is a completely different issue. Still unacceptable behaviour when you were trying to prevent a child being injured.
Response from Thymeheals made on 18th Oct 2016 17:05:37
How true, I am always amazed at how many people walk past and ignore someone who has fallen over, or if someone is in distress. This is not how I was brought up, and I constantly find it hard not to lend a hand, if I can.
Response from jeanmark made on 18th Oct 2016 19:20:52
I'm with you on that one Thymeheals.
Hateehc
16th Oct 2016 16:29:16 (Last activity: 18th Oct 2016 13:13:53)
3
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PC has destroyed debate, has let bullying minorities take centre stage, has created mistrust and imbalance and has made people scared to say what they think....
Response from Wilf made on 16th Oct 2016 16:41:45
Intelligent debate seems to be alive and well on this website. I really like their Speakers Corner Forums. The comments by some of our fellow members are so sensible makes you think they should become MPs rather than the rabble we have there now
Response from Hateehc made on 16th Oct 2016 16:45:11
Will check it out, thnks. However look at the Brexit debate, the US presidential debate and politics in eneral, the world doesn't know if its coming or going
Response from Hateehc made on 16th Oct 2016 16:50:34
cant find speakers corner... It will be me, I am easily confused
Response from jeanmark made on 16th Oct 2016 18:08:05
Hateehc, it's on their homepage, hospital car parking charges is the latest discussion.
Response from Hateehc made on 18th Oct 2016 09:24:48
I have no problem in ID cards, or things like DNA databases, as it acts as a protection tool, this is all provided by us to them,what I object too is when they steal information from me without asking, then it is an intrusion. I am giving Theresa a chance, I am not certain she is genuine, but I am prepared to wait and see
Response from jeanmark made on 18th Oct 2016 13:13:53
I agree with you there Hateehc, I have nothing to hide so have no problem carrying an ID card but I am aware some people see that as state control and then are critical of these same bodies when things go wrong. I worked in public services all my life and learnt "you are damed if you do and damed if you don't".
[deleted]
16th Oct 2016 17:02:52 (Last activity: 17th Oct 2016 09:52:10)
2
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[deleted]
Response from Hateehc made on 16th Oct 2016 17:10:28
Well LittleM... I feel the times are about to change, I feel we can get back to a sense of community, a sense of belonging and a sense of fairness. However the rich are trying to prevent this, because a happy content society, is one that is treated with respect and fairness and one that is paid well. This does not suit the rich, who prefer their workers to conform and scrap over the pittance paid to them... I can ramble, for this I am sorry, but I believe Brexit will be the best thing to happen to this country, because we will rediscover our identity, our purpose and our humanity
Response from Hateehc made on 17th Oct 2016 09:52:10
The difference between now and then is that we the minions are better educated, but you are right, the rich today are the barons of old, we have rebelled in our vote and I firmly believe Theresa will stick to her word, she is in some ways like thatcher, she is not a populist, she is someone who realises that society is currently unfair and that there needs to be a rebalance.. The rich are currently rebelling against Brexit, with media hype, paying for media time and trying to scare us, what has changed from the days of yore huh? Once these people have been put back in their box then this country will thrive, Brexit should be nothing to fear, andit will re establish our identity and make us feel British again
Co Down
6th Sep 2016 00:34:40 (Last activity: 6th Sep 2016 09:14:03)
2
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I am sick of political correctness.
Response from art1935 made on 6th Sep 2016 09:14:03
i agree pc is rubbish,comedians must hate it,you can't tell a decent joke now without offending someone,why was it introduced in this country and by who?
Alan247
5th Sep 2016 23:46:41
0
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It is on this site, one of my replies was not allowed to appear, another has a line taken out before it was allowed on, so only one thing left.....good night Vienna
ArchieUK
5th Sep 2016 08:10:28 (Last activity: 5th Sep 2016 15:36:51)
0
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Can somebody please explain to me the difference between political correctness and censorship, in my world they run hand in hand.
Response from celtwitch made on 5th Sep 2016 12:26:16
Censorship is the handmaiden of political correctness, so yes, they are very closely linked.
PC is about ensuring that minorities and marginalised groups are treated fairly, and equally, nothing wrong with that, at least in theory. However, it now actively discriminates against the indigenous population in quite overt ways, for instance, when only people from minority communities are invited to apply for certain jobs. Employers these days seem more concerned that their workforce has the requisite percentage of people from 'diverse' communities than recruiting the 'best man for the job.'
Censorship is something we all do on an almost unconscious level, when we meet a very fat person, we try to ignore the fact, rather than say, 'hiya fatty' because we know that would cause offence.
The media censors the content that it pumps out, sometimes because the truth would alarm the public, and at other times because it suits their political agenda.
Then there is the censorship of opinions and writing that someone in 'authority' bans, or edits in order that someone else is not offended. In essence, someone takes offence on someone else's behalf.
Response from jeanmark made on 5th Sep 2016 15:33:36
Very well put Celtwitch.
Response from jeanmark made on 5th Sep 2016 15:36:51
Maybe I should add that I believe positive discrimination is an insult. Imagine getting a job purely on your gender, race or sexual orientation, there a times when that is appropriate but that is the exception rather than the norm.
celtwitch
1st Nov 2015 15:20:24 (Last activity: 5th Sep 2016 10:33:04)
6
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'PC, diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion' are words that are used by cowards who do not have the courage to admit that our great nation and its culture, traditions and history are being incrementally eroded and devalued.
Political correctness only works for people who live in the UK but who are not English, in essence it's a one-way street, so how fair is that?
Response from mercury made on 15th Jan 2016 19:23:39
Totally agree with Celtwitch. Well said.
Response from marmark1 made on 19th Aug 2016 09:47:25
Put much better than I could have
Response from celtwitch made on 5th Sep 2016 10:33:04
So, you think our culture, traditions and history are 'pointless?
ArchieUK
5th Sep 2016 09:32:14 (Last activity: 5th Sep 2016 09:45:35)
0
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I appreciate celtwitch's comments but it did not address my question, what is the difference between political correctness and censorship, or is there no real difference.
Response from Wilf made on 5th Sep 2016 09:34:05
I think PC trys to ensure that there is no discrimination and people are not offended. Censorship is by the state and is intended to stop people knowing a fact or information
Response from Alan247 made on 5th Sep 2016 09:45:35
There is discrimination in daily life, for instance, supermarkets give spaces over to Parent and Child parking, if all these spaces are taken, do they drive to the next supermarket to find an empty space?....no, they park anywhere, they have choice, I don't. The W.I. women only, men are excluded. PC on the other hand was invented to keep everything sweet, ..it might offend, you can't have a " page 3 " calendar on display...it might offend, the list goes on, myself I don't give a Rodent's I my remarks offend, my answer is...grow up
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