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'''Politically correct''' restrictions on what we can say and how we say it have been imposed by [[liberals]]. These restrictions enforce a regime of '''political correctness''' similar to that of the Nazi and Communist regimes of Europe. Some are linguistic, but all are ideological.

'''Politically correct''' restrictions on what we can say and how we say it have been imposed by custom and convention.  

 

Paul Weyrich, founder of the Heritage Foundation, said, "The ideology usually known as ‘Political Correctness,’ which is really the cultural Marxism of the infamous Frankfurt School, is using every type of cultural institution in our country to achieve its purpose, which is the destruction of traditional Western culture and the Christian religion." [http://www.familyresearchinst.org/Default.aspx?tabid=145]

[[Image:PC-PILGRIM.JPG|thumb|400px|Horsey cartoon 11-22-2007 parodies PC]]

[[Image:PC-PILGRIM.JPG|thumb|400px|Horsey cartoon 11-22-2007 parodies PC]]

The modern politically correct movement began at the [[University of Wisconsin-Madison]]; one of the most [[liberal]] institutions in the [[United States]] and is often viewed as a liberalist degrading of the [[First Amendment|freedom of speech]]. George Orwell's ''Nineteen Eighty-Four'' famously incorporated the notion of limiting thought through language (see [[Newspeak]]).  Words or actions that violate '''political correctness''' are called [[politically incorrect]].

The modern politically correct movement began at the [[University of Wisconsin-Madison]]; one of the most liberal institutions in the United States and is often viewed as a liberalist degrading of the [[First Amendment|freedom of speech]]. George Orwell's ''Nineteen Eighty-Four'' famously incorporated the notion of limiting thought through language (see [[Newspeak]]).  Words or actions that violate '''political correctness''' are called [[politically incorrect]].

At American universities, [[Liberal]]s began imposing '''political correctness''' to prevent recognition of differences among gender, religion, belief system, sexual orientation and nationality.  In the 1960s, [[feminists]] began to demand that the neutral pronouns ''he'', ''him'' and ''his'' be replaced with expressions like "he or she", "him or her", "them", etc. They argued that no one would be able to understand that the masculine gender included the feminine gender in neutral contexts. But this was just part of their campaign to redefine the social roles traditionally associated with masculinity and femininity.

At American universities, liberals began imposing '''political correctness''' to prevent recognition of differences among gender, religion, belief system, sexual orientation and nationality.  In the 1960s, [[feminists]] began to demand that the neutral pronouns ''he'', ''him'' and ''his'' be replaced with expressions like "he or she", "him or her", "them", etc. They argued that no one would be able to understand that the masculine gender included the feminine gender in neutral contexts. But this was just part of their campaign to redefine the social roles traditionally associated with masculinity and femininity.

'''Political correctness''' or '''P.C.''' also means the alteration of ones choice of words in order to avoid either offending a group of people or reinforcing a stereotype considered to be disadvantageous to the group.  More specifically, groups which (or whose putative "leaders" or other activists) claim some status as systemically oppressed or discriminated against will periodically attempt to change the terms by which they are referred to and demand that society as a whole change its usage of words as well.  

'''Political correctness''' or '''P.C.''' also means the alteration of ones choice of words in order to avoid either offending a group of people or reinforcing a stereotype considered to be disadvantageous to the group.  More specifically, groups which (or whose putative "leaders" or other activists) claim some status as systemically oppressed or discriminated against will periodically attempt to change the terms by which they are referred to and demand that society as a whole change its usage of words as well.  

==Examples==

==Examples==

An example of political correctness is the changing terminology used to described handicapped people.  In the past the term "crippled" was perfectly acceptable and not considered offensive.  At some point, somebody decided "crippled" was degrading and the preferred term changed to "handicapped".  This, too, was eventually deemed offensive and "disabled" became the preferred term.  Today, "disabled" is now considered degrading and "differently abled" and "physically challenged" are now the politically correct terms.  The same can be said for the changing uses of terms for Black Americans:  "Negro" and "colored", once perfectly acceptable terms, were declared degrading and offensive by some activists during the 1970s and "Afro-American" and "Black" came into use, which in turn gave way to "[[African Americans|African-American]]", and in broader usage, "people of color".   

An example of political correctness is the changing terminology used to described handicapped people.  In the past the term "crippled" was perfectly acceptable and not considered offensive.  At some point, Americans like Senate Republican LEader [[Bob Dole]] decided "crippled" was degrading and the preferred term changed to "handicapped".  This, too, was eventually deemed offensive and "disabled" became the preferred term.  Today, "disabled" is now considered degrading and "differently abled" and "physically challenged" are now the politically correct terms.   

The distinction for example between "colored people" (1950's-60's usage) and "people of color" (today) is an important one which illustrates the basis of political correctness.

The same can be said for the changing uses of terms for Black Americans:  "Negro" and "colored", once perfectly acceptable terms, became offensive during the 1970s and "Afro-American" and "Black" came into use, which in turn gave way to "[[African Americans|African-American]]", and in broader usage, "people of color".

The question of politically correct language has spilled over from the use of racially descriptive words and affected the use of traditional language.  In 1999, an aide to the mayor of Washington DC described a budget decision as "niggardly" (a word meaning "stingy," unrelated to the racial slur).  The aide immediately came under criticism and was forced to resigned even though he had not said anything racially charged. However, his name was cleared within a matter of days and was offered to return to his previous position. <ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/williams/williams020499.htm</ref>

The question of politically correct language has spilled over from the use of racially descriptive words and affected the use of traditional language.  In 1999, an aide to the mayor of Washington DC described a budget decision as "niggardly" (a word meaning "stingy," unrelated to the racial slur).  The aide immediately came under criticism and was forced to resigned even though he had not said anything racially charged. However, his name was cleared within a matter of days and was offered to return to his previous position. <ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/williams/williams020499.htm</ref>