Could Being Politically Correct Cause Psychological Damage and Mental Retardation?

reply to post by Trustfund


War On Words: NYC Dept. Of Education Wants 50 ‘Forbidden’ Words Banned From Standardized Tests
'Dinosaur,' 'Birthday,' 'Halloween,' 'Poverty,' 'Divorce' Among Those Suggested

newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03/26/war-on-words-nyc-dept-of-education-wants-50-forbidden-words-removed-from-standardized-tests


While you're at it, if you haven't already, watch the George Carlin videos I posted earlier.....he makes fun of the "politically correct" terms. Not to mention he's hilarious to watch/listen....

Originally posted by darkbake
This is exactly what I'm talking about! See? Europe! They do this free speech thing over there! IN EUROPE! People, Europe! That means progress in American.

edit on 23-11-2012 by darkbake because: (no reason given)

I didn't mean to say Europe is better... it is several countries with different characteristics and cultures, and this just happens to be one aspect I personally find "good".


But I am not against a structure of manners and social rules! This is necessary in any culture! But I suspect that it can be misused, or taken too far?

I was more refering to the general ban against speaking of controversial opinions in public, (or at the dinner table, or at a party...).

We really must consider though, the particular characteristics of the USA as relevant! I started a thread on this a while ago, in fact- to copy some of that-

We often say, America is an idea, it is a set of values, of principles. It is our Constitution. If you believe in that, you become American.
But in some other older countries? They say, we are a peoples, that go back for generations... our bond is blood, it is land, it is this house that my anscestors passed down to me. Our nation is of physical nature.

That might be why the mental nature can be left more free to vary for them?

For us Americans, a country of immigrants, it is the mental nature, it is the opinion, views and values that determine whether you are in or out- not your blood, not your anscestry, not your history. We have much at stake when it comes to everyone being on the same page in opinion!

Even in talking about PC in terms of acceptable words, I think this comes into play, because what is being rejected is a certain meaning to the words, which entail a certain opinion....

Americans also feel pressure in the presence of anyone speaking, to be agreable, in order to form social cohesion. The Old "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all" Creates that.
If you don't feel that you must be nice and agreable, it is amazing how it really doesn't bother you to hear something which opposes your opinion- even the opinions on what you should say or not!

(personally the "say only nice things" crap drives me up the wall now- the problems is causes us are unbelievable!!! Damn Thumper to hell, I say!)

As a counselor I see PC a little different. An example would be most effective. Please do not take offence!

A 40 ish year old lady visits for her first consult. She is a very very large women who literally has to walk in to my office sideways. After the introduction segment I ask what she would like help with.

She can't find a man. She wants a man and goes on a tirade of men are this and that and they should be able to see what a wonderful personality she has and how men are &*&)* and &^&*&* and *&87.

So I ask as gently as I know how, "Do you think your weight could be a factor?"

I get a tirade of abuse. I was told that I am not even allowed to ask that and I must be the most unprofessional &*@&* in existence, and she leaves in a huff.

PC allows some to hide from the reality of their problems and no one is allowed to remind them of anything they do not want to hear. PC is damaging society and damaging it to a huge extent. Parents with unruly children hide from their non existent parenting skills. Teachers hide and are relieved that they do not have to broach the subject and round and round it goes.

Huge problems get swept under the table. 2.1% of the British Population is responsible for 26% of child rapes and no one wants to address the issue due solely to PC.

Sweep away your problems!

P

reply to post by thepolish1

I've had people shove there opinions down my throat all my life, I usually will not give mine unless the issues affect me directly.

I'm of the exact same mindset. I think people sometimes wonder if I have an opinion about certain things because I don't readily shoot my mouth off. I nearly always keep my opinions to myself in the outside world. My opinions are on a need to know basis.

reply to post by pheonix358


The 'stiff upper lip' comes to mind. Good point.

Originally posted by Juggernog
Yes, it is. It was almost unheard of just 10 years ago or maybe less and I know its perfectly legal in at will states, I never mentioned legality, I just said its ridiculous and so is your nipicking my posts and putting words in my mouth.

You said "getting fired for things people do away from their jobs is a growing trend", and I am telling you it is not.

People didn't just start getting fired for behavior deemed "bad" outside of work in 2002. I can pull up court cases to prove otherwise.

It's been happening long before that.
Especially considering how old the concept of "at-will" employment is.

It's been around since the 1800's and was later adopted by every State.
They've all had the right to fire anyone for any reason for over a hundred of years.

You really think they just started doing so now?

It was MUCH worse when employees had even fewer rights than they do now so if anything, it's gotten better not worse. Employees have more of a voice and a way to challenge their firing.

I'm not nitpicking anything anymore than you were nitpicking my post. I am stating a fact and mentioning the legality behind it. I never said YOU said it was illegal, so please don't act like I did.

It's just not a growing trend, you may have just noticed it though since social media is becoming more popular and people are putting their jobs at risk with questionable behavior submitted to the public.

- Lee

reply to post by darkbake


It is interesting that its not usually minorities, but rather politicians and others in authority who raise the issue of Political Correctness.

When people aren't allowed to speak freely about issues such as immigration, crime and other 'hot potato' topics, while decisions are being made by people in authority on those issues, we really should take a stand back and consider the parallels between North Korea and our own 'free' society.

Free speech allows the people to challenge the decisions of those in authority.

Political correctness, despite it's good initial intentions, is now being manipulated to control the masses.

Originally posted by snarky412
reply to post by Trustfund

 

War On Words: NYC Dept. Of Education Wants 50 ‘Forbidden’ Words Banned From Standardized Tests
'Dinosaur,' 'Birthday,' 'Halloween,' 'Poverty,' 'Divorce' Among Those Suggested

Poverty? Well sure, we'll just call those people economically challenged. After all, we don't really want to touch the subject of poverty. It's "politically incorrect".As a side note your link doesn't work.

Now to the original topic

I got through two pages and that was enough. It surely didn't take long for the underhanded partisan jabs to come out. Not really a surprise, but noteworthy none the less.I don't think there is much correlation between political correctness and stupidity. I just think the average person is just stupid for lack of a better term, or I can always use my "politically correct" term, mentally deficient. In my personal experience, it's not that people get angry with what I say. It's more like they just look at me with a confused/blank look. Then they proceed to rattle off the same partisan nonsense that is to be expected. Almost as if they've been programmed for such responses. I'm not claiming they are programmed, although I'm sure there are some who would claim them to be, but rather once you start to understand the political thought process of most you can almost garner certain responses you want by leading them in certain directions.Now, the political conversation pieces I use are not too controversial or complex to understand. As a matter of fact most of my verbal commentary is based on subjects that are public knowledge. Documented evidence that cannot be refuted, and basic historical understanding that gives insight on how the ones who control society operate. None the less, most people still can't grasp general knowledge. I don't know if it's a refusal to, or if it's just plain stupidity. I'm at the point where I think it's just stupidity, plain and simple, people are too stupid to handle the truth.

Originally posted by missed_gear
"Political Correctness" is up there with "Jumbo Shrimp" as an oxymoron. IMHO.

I was always raised, "Say what you mean and mean what you say".

Pretty simple.

MG

I wish that I could give you 100 stars. I remember a time when the term ''politically correct'' didn't even exist. That term was created for a purpose, and it's definitely in effect. The so-called ''intelligent'' crowd can't even see that it's just another divide and conquer tactic. And this ''liberal'' and ''conservative'' sh!+ is really getting old. Just who in the hell is TOTALLY ''liberal'' or ''conservative'' about EVERYTHING?? As for myself, I'm neither, nor, because there are some labels that represent a gang mentality, ''us'' versus ''them''. I thought we were ALL Americans, and the way things are currently going, we'd better realize that ASAP. When the sh!+ hits the fan, imagine the chaos that will ensue because we're all divided. That's what THEY want. And what's with this about MLK being liberal? Is wanting justice and equality for all, liberal? And does being conservative entail wanting to revert to the days of Jim Crow? Again, 100 stars for you, my friend.

Originally posted by JohnnyCanuck
reply to post by darkbake

 

Far too many people squawk about the evils of 'political correctness' without realising that it is 90% good manners and common courtesy. Yes, one has the right to speak their piece. One even has the right to be a jerk about it. One also retains the right to be handed their figurative arse for causing offence.

I like folks who consider the impact of their words before they spout off.

Here here, Johnny!

Originally posted by pheonix358

A 40 ish year old lady visits for her first consult. She is a very very large women who literally has to walk in to my office sideways. After the introduction segment I ask what she would like help with.

She can't find a man. She wants a man and goes on a tirade of men are this and that and they should be able to see what a wonderful personality she has and how men are &*&)* and &^&*&* and *&87.

So I ask as gently as I know how, "Do you think your weight could be a factor?"

Yeah, I recently decided I need to lose weight and that it might help me with dating. It's actually nice to know there is still an option I can take that might help.

Originally posted by Bluesma
I've been living in Europe for about twenty years now, and even though I was shocked by the freedom of speech here back then, I think the PC thing has gotten even more restrictive since I left the US. We used ot be able to say someone was "black" back then, and it was correct.

Just in terms of speaking ones opinion on controversial topics, I am now used to that, but I observe a HUGE difference in the way americans take that- they get upset, they take it personally that another has an opposing opinion and expresses it! They act as if the intent MUST be to hurt them, or else it wouldn't be spoken outloud.

I have had some americans (even in this forum) proclaim that that must be done because europeans like to make each other feel bad.

But it doesn't. Nobody feels bad because others have different opinions, or because they dared to voice them. Frankly, I had no real opinion on anything until I started doing this too, and speaking out, and having to put my thoughts into order.... and having them questioned, debated- the holes in my logic pointed out, so I could work on better construction.

In this way, the opposition and argument of others enabled me to better construct who I am, personality wise. I began to appreciate those who oppose me, as a you appreciate your opponent in a sport.
It is resistance training for the mind, and makes for bigger "mental muscles"!

Bluesma, people still call me black, even though I'm actually reddish-brown. Hell, check my name out, I even do it myself.

Originally posted by snarky412

Originally posted by spinalremain
Reply to post by Trustfund

 

Yep.

The ones who are angry about being PC are the ones who cannot give you an example of how it interferes with their everyday life.

They are slackjawed honkies who want to run at the lip about ni**er this and Ni**er that. To intrude upon how they were taught to think and speak is upsetting to them.
-Dam slackjawed, honkie bastards

J/K everyone

 

Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

 

I don't think of that word.....of course, only dark skin people are allowed to say that. It's in all the rap songs just about.

What I'm irked about is the banning of common words, such as when a high school voted "NO" to call their football team Cougars because it's a term relating to older women, hence why it's politically incorrect. Stupid IMO...

Here is a list of a few words that they are trying to "ban" per nations schools.....

The word “dinosaur” made the hit list because dinosaurs suggest evolution which creationists might not like. “Halloween” is targeted because it suggests paganism;
a “birthday” might not be happy to all because it isn’t celebrated by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
“Republican” is banned because it is associated with “dissent” and “obstruction”, according to Department of Education sources.
Words that suggest wealth are excluded because they could make kids jealous. “Poverty” is also on the forbidden list.
“In a throwback to “Footloose,” the word “dancing” is also taboo.
However, there is good news for kids that like “ballet”: The city made an exception for this form of dance.
Also banned are references to “divorce” and “disease,” because kids taking the tests may have relatives who split from spouses or are ill.

Some students think banning these words from periodic assessment tests is ridiculous. Those students have been expelled from their schools.

weeklyworldnews.com...

There is a whole list of words on this site that is banned near the bottom of the page.

People have gone crazy with PC any more.

And it has nothing to do with the hate words that you are referring too.
These are every day words that most of us don't even realize are on the list.

Black people don't use that word, and it's not in any rap songs either. And another thing, referring to your previous post, about hubby being some badass. There's a time and place for everything, and I'd be willing to bet that hubby chooses wisely.

Originally posted by poloblack

Just who in the hell is TOTALLY ''liberal'' or ''conservative'' about EVERYTHING?? As for myself, I'm neither, nor, because there are some labels that represent a gang mentality, ''us'' versus ''them''. I thought we were ALL Americans, and the way things are currently going, we'd better realize that ASAP.

reply to post by GD21D


I don't think that people should all be homogeneous (have the exact same views as everyone else) with their political party. That's why I think it is important for different political parties to converse about topics, in order to keep people from getting polarized into two opposing camps to the point they can't interact.

However, I am seeing a rise in people joining factions that are completely authoritarian and homogeneous, where having different viewpoints is not very acceptable.

I don't find either conservative or liberal zones to be comfortable living situations for me -

Also, I would like to note that I am talking about being politically correct in a slightly broader fashion than name-calling - I would call it more being coerced into conforming to cultural norms. As a matter of fact, upon reflection, I would consider those enforcing political correctness to be the name-callers.

And don't forget that political correctness does not have a side - in the Arab world, for example, we are seeing the rise of extremist dictators like Mursi in Egypt.

I think there are lots of situations where being completely polite will still get you in trouble with people of an opposing faction when you are hanging out with them. Or there could be such a strong aura of political correctness from the opposing faction that one feels like they must escape back to their own faction. It doesn't necessarily have to do with being polite or not. It does, however, seem to have something to do with ushering in complete conformity to a specific faction.

In the end, we have a bunch of extremists who can't communicate with people who hold opposing views. This causes trouble for someone who wishes to become more moderate.

Originally posted by spinalremain
Reply to post by Trustfund

 

Yep.

The ones who are angry about being PC are the ones who cannot give you an example of how it interferes with their everyday life.

They are slackjawed honkies who want to run at the lip about ni**er this and Ni**er that. To intrude upon how they were taught to think and speak is upsetting to them.
-Dam slackjawed, honkie bastards

J/K everyone

 

Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

 

A white person having an encounter with a black person, an issue, has been trained to put everything in as mild of turms as they can.....so as not to offend and incur wrath. Wrath like "Oh hell no! I know youre not talking to me". Blacks very often will take advantage of this position.

I know of a case of late where a black guy that sould have been fired and taken to court droped the race card against the aggrieved white party. It involved thieft and the plundering of an account. Higher ups caved in to the race bomb and forced the aggrieved party to do the same. Higher ups also bought the aggrieved party a replacement item but of lesser quality but there was no return of funds to the account....an account that had been rasied by the aggrieved. Not only did the aggrieved party not get their 18,000$ from the account back but the idem stolen was worth 25,000$ replaced with a 10,000$ item.

The higher ups in this case were the black mayor of a large city. Much of the city "leadership" is black with some lackey whites, who must be so, working so close to blacks in a power structure.

This is what political correctness looks like in the real world. A total "slack" of justice due to a damaged view of justice as it has been skewed by modern race thought in america. Go ahead and steal from whitey....we will cover youre ass.

reply to post by Logarock


Just like Logarock said, it's only going to end up causing race wars and possibly political wars. If that isn't evident from this thread...

I mean I know there has always been political correctness, but I think it is being taken to extremes recently. For example, social norms are completely different depending on the faction you are hanging out with.

That, combined with a militant intolerance to people who don't conform, makes it ridiculously hard to communicate effectively between factions or to socialize with another faction.

Just my opinion - I could be wrong on that.

Originally posted by darkbake
reply to post by Logarock

 

Just like Logarock said, it's only going to end up causing race wars and possibly political wars. If that isn't evident from this thread...

I didnt really say that here. But as far as wars we are already neck deep in a political war.

reply to post by darkbake


Everyday in the media, some well-known person is being "offensive" and having to apologize for it. It's called power and control. Freedom of speech? I don't think so.

I believe the answer to the OP is no. In fact, political correctness, or herd mentality, can be shown to be completely natural for the majority, just as non-conformity can also be shown to be natural. Even people who claim to be non-comformists exhibit some form of it. For example, two strangers meet... in most cases, there will be some certain important eye contact (and looking away), tone and content of speech becomes neutral and non-threatening, hand/arm/body gestures show non-aggression..etc. Judgements are made, but probably not spoken, much less thought much about consciously. None of it has anything to do with mental retardation or damage to the psyche, it is nature in action, conformity and non-conformity forming natural groups that function as an evolutionary process.

Psychological Damage and Mental Retardation Could Cause Political Correctmess. There, fixed it. It was a bit jumbled before, almost as it it were a question.