D. Armenta
PlagmanThe Three Types of Political Incorrectness
As an American, we are trained to take offense to anything poking fun at a minority group to which we belong, assuming the perpetrator is not a part of that particular minority. Because it is almost always used in a derogatory context, even the term itself can be considered politically incorrect because it implies one is making a satire out of the subject to which it is being referenced. Typically when this phrase is being uttered, it is done with apprehension regarding the dilution of freedom of speech, and the avoidance of discussing social problems. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush gave the commencement address at the University of Michigan, speaking out against the PC movement that would “declare certain topics off-limits, certain expressions off-limits, and even certain gestures off-limits.” Fortunately for Bush, he was able to live long enough to see that dream become a reality.
The success of the PC movement has extended far beyond the political arena. Lawsuits and minority leaders have held everyone in check, and ensured that no politically incorrect statement will go unpunished. Special privileges are even granted to those who have been or may become targets of politically incorrect rhetoric, minority scholarships being a prominent example of a reward given to those easily offended.
But this being America, there are so many minority groups with varying levels of influence and sensitivities that it becomes hard for the average Joe to keep track of which individuals they must be careful around, and which they should hire to meet affirmative action criteria.
There are generally three types of politically incorrect offensiveness. The first, and currently most prominent in an increasingly secular America, are the religiously offended. Ranging from Muslim to normal, this group can even include those who do not have religious beliefs and wish to eradicate everyone else’s from any location that their children may come across, because even though they don’t think He exists, God forbid their children might buy into it.
Besides being the most prevalent, the religiously offended are the most interesting because one would think that a person with so much faith wouldn’t be worried about someone else choosing to express their own beliefs, seeing as how they consider them to be wrong, anyhow. The same precedent holds true for the atheists, who are so convinced that there is no God that they want to make sure his name doesn’t appear in any Pledges of Allegiance, for fear that this non-existent god will punish him for allowing such behavior to go unchecked.
The second type of offensive behavior, and the one that probably came to most people’s minds first, involves race. As diverse as the religious beliefs are in America, there are two to three times as many races, all of which want to be treated as equals without having to be treated the same as everyone else. Ironically, although those offended by racial matters usually have the most justifiable reason to perhaps be offended, they also have the most absurd ones, thus seriously hurting their overall argument.
The third type occurs on the most level playing field, since the only people who can rightfully claim to not be a part of either side had to have spent a lot of money on major plastic surgery. But despite being so even, the battle is overwhelmingly raged by only one side, and that, of course, is the battle of the sexes. Of all the minority groups, women are the only ones who actually constitute the majority, slightly outnumbering their male counterparts. Also unlike the other groups, they have the unfortunate dilemma of being sexually attracted to those from whom they wish to gain equality. And as if all of that weren’t enough, of all the other groups out there, they have by far the least in common with their enemies, both physically, genetically, emotionally, and genitally.
As for the gay community, there is increasing debate that they may soon have established themselves as the fourth type of minority group, which would lead to an increased number of lawsuits, and the granting of tax-exempt status. For now, however, the focus remains on the fab-three, not the super-fabulous four.
With the political correctness movement continuing to gain momentum, it’s important that we teach our children about the three types before they’re brainwashed into joining one. Because, as old people will tell you, life was much easier when we were allowed to ignore whiny special interest groups.
The success of the PC movement has extended far beyond the political arena. Lawsuits and minority leaders have held everyone in check, and ensured that no politically incorrect statement will go unpunished. Special privileges are even granted to those who have been or may become targets of politically incorrect rhetoric, minority scholarships being a prominent example of a reward given to those easily offended.
But this being America, there are so many minority groups with varying levels of influence and sensitivities that it becomes hard for the average Joe to keep track of which individuals they must be careful around, and which they should hire to meet affirmative action criteria.
There are generally three types of politically incorrect offensiveness. The first, and currently most prominent in an increasingly secular America, are the religiously offended. Ranging from Muslim to normal, this group can even include those who do not have religious beliefs and wish to eradicate everyone else’s from any location that their children may come across, because even though they don’t think He exists, God forbid their children might buy into it.
Besides being the most prevalent, the religiously offended are the most interesting because one would think that a person with so much faith wouldn’t be worried about someone else choosing to express their own beliefs, seeing as how they consider them to be wrong, anyhow. The same precedent holds true for the atheists, who are so convinced that there is no God that they want to make sure his name doesn’t appear in any Pledges of Allegiance, for fear that this non-existent god will punish him for allowing such behavior to go unchecked.
The second type of offensive behavior, and the one that probably came to most people’s minds first, involves race. As diverse as the religious beliefs are in America, there are two to three times as many races, all of which want to be treated as equals without having to be treated the same as everyone else. Ironically, although those offended by racial matters usually have the most justifiable reason to perhaps be offended, they also have the most absurd ones, thus seriously hurting their overall argument.
The third type occurs on the most level playing field, since the only people who can rightfully claim to not be a part of either side had to have spent a lot of money on major plastic surgery. But despite being so even, the battle is overwhelmingly raged by only one side, and that, of course, is the battle of the sexes. Of all the minority groups, women are the only ones who actually constitute the majority, slightly outnumbering their male counterparts. Also unlike the other groups, they have the unfortunate dilemma of being sexually attracted to those from whom they wish to gain equality. And as if all of that weren’t enough, of all the other groups out there, they have by far the least in common with their enemies, both physically, genetically, emotionally, and genitally.
As for the gay community, there is increasing debate that they may soon have established themselves as the fourth type of minority group, which would lead to an increased number of lawsuits, and the granting of tax-exempt status. For now, however, the focus remains on the fab-three, not the super-fabulous four.
With the political correctness movement continuing to gain momentum, it’s important that we teach our children about the three types before they’re brainwashed into joining one. Because, as old people will tell you, life was much easier when we were allowed to ignore whiny special interest groups.
PC,PC,PC.
It was a phrase created in the mid to late eighties and has become an industry. PC books, and PC definitions. People holes ra\ther tha man holes.
Still the term 'Politically Correct' beg the question: WHOSE POLITICS?
The same issue has been around since the year dot when people try to use language to install social change. Reactionary, Ideologically Incorrect, Unpatriotic Thinking. Each one begs the same question. Whose opinions are they disagreeing with?
Unfortunately PC is being used as carelessly as any common term by anyone looking for an axe to grind.
Issues that should treated as seperate are now being treated as partisan to the PC test. It is all too easy (and intellectually lazy in my mind) to us a label to create sweeping generalizations.
Politically Correct is meaningless term because it offer no specific policies. It is just a generic brand name that can be used to defend or attack a cause without providing evidence.
This cuts two ways as any one who disagrees with a government or social policy is quick to label it as PC. Defining what is Political Correctness is futile because Politics moves and what is PC today is the opposite tomorrow.
(Just a minor preference is if you could put a line space between your paragraphs it would much easier to read on a computer screen.)
The Florida Keys and Everglades
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What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
Ditto Damo on the space; my eyes suck anyway and a space would help
My eyes are getting worn out too.
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
First - the reasonable - That you don't riun down't the streat poining and yelling 'fag', 'nigger'!
Second - the unreasonable - That becasue white people were racist to black people, black people sohudl be able to take over everything. This is wehere an attempt to be inoffensive moves to the point of absuridty and beyond what is needed and sensible.
Three - Straw man, which i think is found in alot of the expamples you've had. Eg, This stuff about us not being allowed to offend Muslims is PC rubbish. This way there is a created perceived enemy (PC) that you can oppose, instead of recognising that the real reason you can't rant about whoever is simply because people are at opposition with your views as they are under ethical scrutiny.
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
Good point, Brenton..
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
I know *I* do...hee hee