There is spin on everything these days, so why not political correctness. As I come to find out, political correctness is not really about what we should call certain segments of the population, Political correctness is really about how we discuss politics in certain circles. Those trends change as those circles change. A large part of us moving forward as a nation is being able to move beyond socially accepted norms.
One can determine this pretty easily by looking at voting trends for certain populations. For instance, college professors typically vote Democratic. I could fall back on a joke about how that shows the intelligence of progressivism, but I will lay off for the time being. What it's really about are the issues that one faces in that segment. Academics usually face academic problems. That means they are more concerned with educational issues rather than what most other people would call the "real world." My wife is not a liberal, but lived in that environment for much of her adult life. She said she felt threatened and unable to voice her opinion.
We move over to the country club scene where one teenage boy came and parroted his parents politics by calling Obama a socialist. My dad and I were the only ones in there, so we were able to ascertain that he did not know what socialism was and didn't really know Obama's position on the issues. That was possible because we outnumbered him. In a normal situation, we would not have said anything because there would be too many people in the room blathering on about how Obama is anti-American, from another country, and trying to run America into the ground.
So, what is truly politically correct is what the "apparent" majority believes in that situation. Don't expect a bunch of people from the union to suddenly wax poetic about woman's issues. Don't expect a group of housewives to talk about a union worker's drop from 40 to 30 hours and how that might affect his income. Naturally, where the housewives are might play a role in the topics of debate, but these days most people can't afford to have one parent stay at home. That's a consideration also.
I've always felt that political correctness is dangerous. It is dangerous in the form it was intended and it is dangerous in this form. It stifles thought. I can't go to my church and really voice my feelings unless I know I have friendly ears. There is nothing wrong with my beliefs even in the eyes of the whole church, but since most people are conservative they would demand I not work with their children. No, they aren't stifling my first amendment rights because they are not outlawing me from saying anything. They are simply creating a hostile environment towards progressives.
Before we get on our high horse, the academic arena does it too. Academia used to be about people of all ideologies getting together and discussing the issues. Now, conservatives are made to feel stupid. I realize there is an opportunity there to make a joke, but that is the whole point. That's what we do. We hang out with like-minded curmudgeons and rail against the other side. Where is the dialogue? I think many of us would be surprised how many people deep down don't agree with the loud-mouth making one point or another. Even if its a conservative venue, you would probably be surprised.
Funny me, I don't have the answers. I'm the one who bites my tongue when people around me assume I am conservative. It is politically correct for me to be such when I am with them. It is politically correct for me to be liberal when I am around most other educators. I might be something else when I hang around my coach friends. Then, I'm something else when I am around extended family. Before you know it, it's easy to forget what you really are. This is the danger of political correctness.
Where is the dialogue? I will tell you where... It has been squashed by the brainwashed right who yell things at their conventions like "kill him" when they don't agree with someone. Or say things like "You are either with us, or the terrorists."
We are all joking aren't we? Do we really not know where the dialogue went? The dialogue has run away from the ultimatums.
As long as no one's coming to blows, I don't know that numbers matter. Just because no one else in the room supports your position doesn't mean it's therefore wrong.
But yes, machine's point about leaving politics out of the workplace is well taken, and has saved my wagon on several occasions. It's not often worth risking one's livelihood to gratuitously open one's mouth.
You left out the differently-abled, transgendered, transsexed and cyborgs, machine. I'm taking away your politically-correct membership card.
tragic, I have to wonder about these people who see no problem bringing politics into the classroom. Were they among those who railed against the Obama speech to students as political indoctrination? Ain't family grand?
I know I've had to take a few swigs of "shut up" juice (or shoved a twix into my mouth) when I've been in those situations where I'm "outnumbered". Outside of the web, I have a hard time speaking up for myself and do a better job of speaking up for others. So when it comes to defending my own opinion, position, or beliefs, I don't do too well. I know exactly what Melon is talking about, but I have to admit that it takes more courage than I'm willing/able to muster for me to speak up when I'm outnumbered.
As a Franco-American of the oppressor class, I find this post intriguing. No doubt the wymyn and non-human companions do, too.
As a contractor, whose livelihood is almost totally in the hands of petulant clientele with their own ideological leanings, I fully understand and abide by the practice of keeping work and politics/religion separate.
My great weakness during open politcal discussion is to challenge others to explain the research and reasons behind their positions. It tends to boil down to whatever meme is spewing from political websites or email chains, and I begin to mock them for it. Like I said, it's my weakness.
Delezzia,
For the most part, no good does come of it. But once in a blue moon, I have stumbled upon someone who vehemently disagreed with me, but was capable of having an intelligent, rational and calm discussion. Believe it or not, it can be rewarding. I like to call it "political politeness." But beware, it is rare indeed . . .
I always survey the odds myself....reminds me of a great quote from Ron White (comedian) about a situation he found himself facing in a bar:
"I don't know how many of them it would take to kick my ass, but I knew how many they were gonna use. That's pretty helpful information to have." :-)
My wife works for a former republican state legislator and ALL his staff are like-minded except her. She says she has to bite her tongue regularly around these anti-Obama wing-nuts and decided that "we were busy" on the night of the office Xmas party. Good call.
I have to say that I think "political correctness" has gotten to the point where it has BECAUSE of the "political INcorrectness" of so many others.
I agree. Good article Scott.
I also agree....... how 'bout those Texans???
Although, we MAY have to put that topic on the forbidden list too.
"So, what is truly politically correct is what the "apparent" majority believes in that situation. Don't expect a bunch of people from the union to suddenly wax poetic about woman's issues. Don't expect a group of housewives to talk about a union worker's drop from 40 to 30 hours and how that might affect his income. Naturally, where the housewives are might play a role in the topics of debate, but these days most people can't afford to have one parent stay at home. That's a consideration also."
I don't think you're talking about political correctness, Scott. Rather, this seems to be about stereotyping. If we all followed the logic employed here, we'd simply each find ourselves in our own echo chambers.
One way of addressing this issue is by speaking up and remaining true to one's beliefs, even when "outnumbered."
Perhaps,
I have to agree with you IF one interprets 'political correctness' in the context in which you wrote, BUT, as Gandhi's nephew is wont to say...
"Rudeness is passive violence"
scott it does seem that the left is considered the "intellectual elite" and conservatives the "ignorant bible thump'n bubba's". as far as chuch, school, work etc settings to me you are in a no-win situation. i've got cousins who all work for splendora schools, middle & high school settings, these bachelor and master level "experts" are beyond conservative. they openly spew obama, democrat and liberal hatred both in school work environment and while tweeting from the church pew. one bragged on facebook to my entire family that her child (6th grade) blurted out "obama"! when the teacher asked the class a word meaning opposite of, during her vocabulary lesson. this high school science teacher went on gushing "the class laughed out loud and the teacher congratulated her on her clever word usage". when she asked the fam if we were all so proud of this brat, i simply reminded her of our grandmother's motto "if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all" which prompted much flaming and ended with me deleting an entire side of my family. for some reason conservatives are in some kind of "let it all hang out" revolution, and any request for civility is met with beck's #8 "it's not un-american for me to state my opinion". for me it's actually come down to moving negative people out of my circle and moving/keeping positive people in. it's also meant change of worship setting, little to no participation in parent group at younger son's very small private school, taking obama sign out of window (window broken) and censoring son's t-shirt choice in the morning (he rides metro, has had people stopped at red lights throw things at him & yell obscenities. its also meant quietly seething at md anderson while nurses, desk clerks, security guards even docs stare at fox all day, bash obama and healthcare reform. i admit a few times i've let loose at people in the line at krogers (when paying with lonestar & taunted) and other times when it gets too hard. but i'm getting better at avoidance than confrontation. being a teacher, except in the sticks or whiteflight burbs must be one of the hardest positions right now. only one worse coming to mind could be cafeteria workers at md anderson.
Good post and aptly true. I feel the same way. I adapt to the social situation when the topic of politics arise. What can I say or not say? What's that old rule of polite conversation? I was taught to avoid two subjects - politics and religion. No good ever comes of it.