• Question: what do you think about political correctness??

    Asked by rebecca to Andrew, Emma, Marianne on 16 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Andrew Maynard

      Andrew Maynard answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      Hi rebecca,

      I think the politically correct answer is that political correctness is politically correct.

      Actually, I think that it’s very important to be aware of and sensitive to other people’s views and perspectives, to avoid causing offense unnecessarily, and to be aware of where you might inadvertently cause offense, and to modify your behavior accordingly – this used to be called being polite and having good manners! But political correctness can go too far – even so far as making it impossible to communicate effectively, which is a really bad thing.

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      I don’t like that it’s a thing we have to talk about (political correctness gone mad). I’m not sure it’s always sensible to hide something unpleasant behind fancy words…..Usually the something unpleasant is a terrible fear of offending someboby. That kind of terrible fear, oddly enough, may stem from a deeper prejudice.

      I think being polite and correct might be good substitutes for being politically correct.

      You’re not sleeping in class, you’re “rationing consciousness.”
      It’s not called gossip anymore. It’s “the speedy transmission of near-factual information.”

    • Photo: Marianne Baker

      Marianne Baker answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      Hey rebecca.

      It depends what you mean – if I don’t answer very well, do try to be more specific and I’ll give it another try!

      I think it’s important to be considerate to other people. Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.

      I would also like to see an end to prejudice and discrimination; people are judged and treated unfairly for many stupid reasons, it’s important to acknowledge injustice and work to eliminate it.

      Sometimes it’s stupid – like when ‘Christmas’ was (supposedly, I think it turned out to be rubbish but still) going to be renamed ‘Winterval’ in the west midlands, to avoid offending non-christians… well, I’m not a christian but christmas is just the word I use for the winter festivities! It’s just a word and it doesn’t do anything.

      Sometimes people get it wrong and start fighting for things that just aren’t worth it, but overall I do think it’s important to make sure people are treated fairly.

    • Photo: Emma Pilgrim

      Emma Pilgrim answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      At times it can be a bit excessive. I am fine with gingerbread man I really don’t need it to be called gingerbread person. Equality is what I believe in

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