Changes

[[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]]

[[William Safire]] researched the phraseology for his word origin column in the ''New York Times'' and discovered it had originated in Communist literature of the early twentieth century.  Usage of the phraseology took off after 1989, but the practices summed up in the phraseology began earlier (see below).  Following the arrogance of its originators, the correctness in political correctness only referred to liberally-approved definitions of political suitability; intuitively it was broadly understood that that which was politically correct was what belonged to a consensus about egalitarian advancements that had occurred in the twentieth century for use as a basis in the forthcoming new century.  Applying its rules was tolerated as a fairly harmless outlet for [[liberal]] busybodies.  Within a few years the strictures the phraseology represented began to be abused, and by 1997 usage of the phraseology declined in correspondence with the tarnishing of its reputation.  

[[William Safire]] researched the phraseology for his word origin column in the ''New York Times'' and discovered it had originated in Communist literature of the early twentieth century.  Usage of the phrase took off after 1989, but the practices summed up in the phraseology began earlier (see below).  Following the arrogance of its originators, the correctness in political correctness only referred to liberally-approved definitions of political suitability; intuitively it was broadly understood that that which was politically correct was what belonged to a consensus about egalitarian advancements that had occurred in the twentieth century for use as a basis in the forthcoming new century.  Applying its rules was tolerated as a fairly harmless outlet for [[liberal]] busybodies.  Within a few years the strictures the phrase represented began to be abused, and by 1997 use of the phrase declined in correspondence with the tarnishing of its reputation.  

The modern politically correct movement began at the [[University of Wisconsin-Madison]], which is one of the most [[liberal]] colleges in the [[United States]].  Political correctness is a liberal 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]], which is one of the most [[liberal]] colleges in the [[United States]].  Political correctness is a liberal 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.

Political correctness persists because education centers and the news and entertainment media promote it.  Academics invent terms such as "intersectionality" and "white privilege", and the media make sure these terms are inculcated in the culture through their activism, which is disguised as journalism, and through their movies and TV shows.

Political correctness persists because education centers and the news and entertainment media promote it.  Academics invent terms such as "intersectionality" and "white privilege", and the media make sure these terms are inculcated in the culture through their activism, which is disguised as journalism, and through their movies and TV shows.

[[NPR]] has an entire guideline section dealing with "incorrect" language on the topic of [[abortion]].<ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/memmos/2019/05/15/723678750/guidance-reminder-on-abortion-procedures-terminology-rights?ft=nprml&f= Guidance Reminder: On Abortion Procedures, Terminology & Rights]</ref>  The words or phrases "late term", "abortion doctor", and "unborn" do not help promote the media's agenda - so they are wiped off the books.  The ''New York Times'' likewise follows similar devious stunts.  The term "heartbeat" is not allowed anymore; instead "embryonic pulsing" is preferred.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/us/louisiana-abortion-heartbeat-bill.html Louisiana Moves to Ban Abortions After a Heartbeat Is Detected]</ref>

[[NPR]] has an entire guideline section dealing with "incorrect" language on the topic of [[abortion]].<ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/memmos/2019/05/15/723678750/guidance-reminder-on-abortion-procedures-terminology-rights?ft=nprml&f= Guidance Reminder: On Abortion Procedures, Terminology & Rights]</ref>  The words or phrases "late term", "abortion doctor," and "unborn" do not help promote the media's agenda - so they are wiped off the books.  The ''New York Times'' likewise follows similar devious stunts.  The term "heartbeat" is not allowed anymore; instead "embryonic pulsing" is preferred.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/us/louisiana-abortion-heartbeat-bill.html Louisiana Moves to Ban Abortions After a Heartbeat Is Detected]</ref>

Political correctness stays alive and thrives because the media and big education keep it that way.

Political correctness stays alive and thrives because the media and big education keep it that way.

An example of political correctness is the changing terminology used to describe handicapped people.  In the past the term "crippled" was perfectly acceptable and not considered offensive.  At some point, Americans such as 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, even "disabled" is considered degrading to some and "differently abled" and "physically challenged" are used by those people.  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."  One perceived problem with "Negro" is that many persons, especially Southerners, seemed to have trouble pronouncing it, enunciating it as "nigra."   

An example of political correctness is the changing terminology used to describe handicapped people.  In the past the term "crippled" was perfectly acceptable and not considered offensive.  At some point, Americans such as 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, even "disabled" is considered degrading to some and "differently abled" and "physically challenged" are used by those people.  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."  One perceived problem with "Negro" is that many persons, especially Southerners, seemed to have trouble pronouncing it, enunciating it as "nigra."   

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 resign even though he had not said anything racially charged. Fortunately, his name was cleared after a few days and he was offered to return to his previous position.<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/williams/williams020499.htm</ref>  In the [[civil service system]], a corrupt and dishonest government employee cannot be fired for lying, but only for a "lack of candor".

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 resign even though he had not said anything racially charged. Fortunately, his name was cleared after a few days and he was offered to return to his previous position.<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/williams/williams020499.htm</ref>  In the [[civil service system]], a corrupt and dishonest government employee cannot be fired for lying, but only for a "lack of candor."

As well as language, political correctness discourages the use of racial stereotypes in fiction out of concern that these stereotypes may become self-perpetuating. For example, frequently seeing the image of black gang members decked out in gold chains, carrying guns and listening to rap may pressure young black people into seeing this lifestyle as the more 'acceptable' choice for their racial group. The common image of female-dominated occupations (nurses, secretaries, care workers, etc.) and of male-dominated occupations (IT workers, military, machinery operators, mechanics, etc.) can discourage individuals of either gender from considering those occupations traditionally belonging to the other. Additionally, films like ''The Siege'' (1998) and ''True Lies'' (1994) have been criticized by pro-Islamic groups as having Muslims portrayed as terrorists, despite the fact that most current terrorists are in fact radical extremist Muslims.  Thus, political correctness becomes the consideration of all public statements and media for their unintentional social impact.

As well as language, political correctness discourages the use of racial stereotypes in fiction out of concern that these stereotypes may become self-perpetuating. For example, frequently seeing the image of black gang members decked out in gold chains, carrying guns and listening to rap may pressure young black people into seeing this lifestyle as the more 'acceptable' choice for their racial group. The common image of female-dominated occupations (nurses, secretaries, care workers, etc.) and of male-dominated occupations (IT workers, military, machinery operators, mechanics, etc.) can discourage individuals of either gender from considering those occupations traditionally belonging to the other. Additionally, films like ''The Siege'' (1998) and ''True Lies'' (1994) have been criticized by pro-Islamic groups as having Muslims portrayed as terrorists, despite the fact that most current terrorists are in fact radical extremist Muslims.  Thus, political correctness becomes the consideration of all public statements and media for their unintentional social impact.