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| − | [[Image:Political Correctness.jpg|right|275px]]
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| − | '''Politically correct language''', or ''political correctness'', consists of linguistic restrictions imposed by authorities or pressure groups, particularly by [[liberals]]. The modern politically correct movement began at the [[University of Wisconsin-Madison]], one of the most [[liberal]] institutions in the [[United States]]. George Orwell's ''Nineteen Eighty-Four'' famously incorporated the notion of limiting thought through language (see [[Newspeak]]).
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| − | Political correctness (often abbreviated to "polcor" or "PC") is the use of language or behaviour said to be intended to provide a minimum of offence, particularly to racial, gender, cultural, or other identity groups. A text that conforms to the ideas of political correctness is said to be 'politically correct'. Its proponents are often derisively described as the "PC Brigade".
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| − | Political correctness re-emerged on U.S. university campuses during the 1980s and 1990s, and is essentially a politically-motivated programme of attempted language manipulation. It is strongly associated with feminism, post-modernism and the academic left. The term 'PC' is often used to refer to any practice or decision which has been noticably influenced by, or which seeks to promote, a post-modernist, leftist or feminist agenda. However, prescriptive language reform remains one of its key components.
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| − | The language reforms demanded by polcor advocates are superficially reminiscent of historical - largely conservative and middle-class - attempts to insist upon good manners and polite speech in order to avoid giving offence. However, the language reforms demanded by the PC movement go far beyond mere politeness.
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| − | The theory advocated by polcorists, therefore, is to transform political and social reality by transforming language; if one wants to abolish 'racism', all one needs to do is to abolish 'racist' words or language, and everything else will follow, because people will literally no longer be able to frame racist ideas.
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| − | What counts as 'politically correct' language changes arbitrarily over time according to the whims of government and awry intellectuals.
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| − | ==Brainwashing or Conditioning==
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| − | [[Political correctness]] is a form of brainwashing or conditioning using manipulative 'inclusive' or 'neutral' language based on the '''Sapir–Whorf Hypothesis''' and upon earlier research at the '''Frankfurt School'''.
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| − | ===Sapir–Whorf Hypothesis===
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| − | The '''Sapir–Whorf Hypothesis''' holds that there is a systematic relationship between language and how a person both understands the world and behaves in it. (Although it has come to be known as the '''Sapir–Whorf Hypothesis''', it rather was an axiom underlying the work of linguist and anthropologist Edward Sapir and his colleague and student Benjamin Whorf.)
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| − | It is an academic theory which argues that our language determines our thoughts. ''The idea is that without particular words in which to express them, we will be literally unable to think particular thoughts.'' Put simply, the hypothesis argues that the nature of a particular language influences the habitual thought of its users.
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| − | Different patterns of language yield different patterns of thought. It is sometimes expressed as 'language determines thought', suggesting that speakers of another language might have a view of the world very different from our own. The artificial language '''Loglan''' (Logical Language) was originally intended to test the '''Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis'''. The idea was that a logical language would be so different from any natural language that differences in thought should be readily detected, if the '''Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis''' were true.
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| − | The science fiction novel ''Babel-17'' imagines an artificial language that can turn its speakers into traitors. In ''Snow Crash'' language hackers can control people’s minds by speaking to them in a special language.
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| − | ===The Frankfurt School===
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| − | [[Political correctness]] started off as a 'think tank', the Institute for Social Research (better known as the '''Frankfurt School'''), in Germany in 1923. Its original remit was to apply Freudian brainwashing techniques in spreading Soviet spin and propaganda through word manipulation, by changing concepts, and meanings of words, and to taboo the use of certain words. In 1935, after Hitler came to power, the Institute moved to the U.S. where they continued to use Freud's guilt-and-fear conditioning mechanisms to get Americans to buy into [[political correctness]].
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| − | This research was quickly taken up by zealots at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (long associated with extremism like [[political correctness]], [[feminism]], and inventing the car bomb) and when the University's chancellor, Donna Shalala, was appointed ''Secretary of Health & Human Services'' by ex-president Bill Clinton she wasted no time in propagating these extremist ideologies.
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| − | ==History==
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| − | [[Liberal]]s impose [[political correctness]] to prevent recognition of differences between men and women, religions, belief systems, and nationalities. 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. This was part of their campaign to redefine the social roles traditionally associated with masculinity and femininity.
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| − | Other groups jumped on the political correctness bandwagon, with handicapped people dodging the kindly meant slogan, "Hire the handicapped", and insisting that their condition was not abnormal. Rather, they were to be called, "differently abled".
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| − | '''Political correctness''' or '''P.C.''' eventually came to refer to 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. Although traditionally associated with the liberals and the political left, Political Correctness has been challenged by libertarian comedian Bill Mahr, by left wing comedians Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, and by some noted liberals such as Nat Hentoff, Richard Lamm, and the late Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.
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| − | ==Examples==
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| − | 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".
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| − | The distinction for example between "colored people" (1950s-60s usage) and "people of color" (today) is an important one which illustrates the basis of political correctness.
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| − | 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, though 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>
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| − | As well as language, political correctness discourages the use of racial or stereotypes in fiction out of concern that these stereotypes may become self-perpetuating. For example, frequently seeing the image 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 most 'acceptable' choice for their racial group. The common image of women-only occupations (nurses, secretaries, care workers, etc) and of men-only occupations (IT workers, military, machinery operators, etc) can discourage individuals of either gender from considering those occupations traditionally belonging to the other. Additionally films like "The Siege" and "True Lies" have been criticized by pro-Islamic groups as having Muslims portrayed as terrorists, despite the fact that most current terrorists are in fact Muslims. Thus political correctness becomes the consideration of all public statements and media for their unintentional social impact.
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| − | Glossing over the [[Christmas]] holiday by using "holidays", "the season", and other terms which omit the name of Christ, is another example of political correctness, or if Christmas is acknowledged at all it is only alongside non-Christian holidays like the recent invention [[Kwanzaa]] and the Islamic holiday [[Eid]], as if they have equal importance to the Christmas holiday in Western culture.
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| − | ==Differing Opinions==
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| − | Demands for politically correct language usage are rooted in the notion widely promoted among left-wing academics and sociologists that Western culture promotes systemic oppression against some groups by marginalizing them and excluding them from the "norm"; the groups thus supposedly systemically marginalized are referred to as "the Other" by these left-wing academics.{{fact}} The implication is that these groups are systemically excluded from the mainstream. "Colored people" is therefore deemed offensive because the order of words puts "colored" first, emphasizing their difference from the mainstream, while "people of color" is acceptable because putting the term "people" first emphasizes that they are people and thus does not emphasize their difference from the "norm".
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| − | Some people allege that instead of encouraging supposedly marginalized groups to integrate with and assimilate into the mainstream of Western culture, political correctness ironically encourages them to emphasize and indeed to wallow in their marginalization from society, and to make a public display of such. This is known as [[identity politics]]. According to this view, gays and lesbians are therefore encouraged to label themselves as "queer" and make public displays of "queerness" calculated to disturb the sensibilities of mainstream people, rather than integrate into the mainstream themselves;{{fact}} Black Americans are encouraged to adopt [[Afrocentrism]] and convert to [[Islam]] or to conform to stereotypical black behavior, etc.{{fact}}
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| − | ==The Language Police==
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| − | Conservative scholar [[Robert Bork]] has charged that the educational system is a battleground where the future of America is being undermined and ill-served. He has counseled against the troubles which will ensue as a result of anti-religious policies in the schools, permissive attitudes toward homosexuality and abortion, as well as welfare policies that have destroyed families since [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]'s War on Poverty. <ref> Slouching Towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline. by Robert Bork published by Harper Collins (c) 1997</ref>
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| − | In her book "[[The Language Police]]", [[Diane Ravitch]] documents just how easy it is to get a word, phrase or idea banned from modern textbooks and references. Textbook producers are beholden to small non-elected educational boards in a few key states such as New York or California. Few citizens know anything about these boards or who holds the seats of power on these boards. It's not a difficult for an interest group to mobilize a campaign to bombard the educational board. Meanwhile, the public is not even aware that their words or values are under attack.
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| − | Then, once a big state makes a textbook purchase, it's very difficult for a small state or any municipality to make any changes. Thus, profound changes can be inserted into textbooks and reference books by putting pressure on a handful of educational administrators. The work of textbook selection committee's is done privately, to avoid politicizing textbooks, but the reverse has happened. It's easier to pressure a lawmaker who is not beholden to community standards, but instead is enamored with political correctness. <ref>The Language Police: How Pressure Groups Restrict What Children Learn by [[Diane Ravitch]] (c) 2003 published by Knopf</ref> Ravitch has documented "''bias guidelines''" for major publishers of texts and tests. These "guidelines" consist of advice to writers and editors about words and topics that must be avoided.<ref>http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110003695</ref>
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| − | ==Totalitarianism and Political Correctness==
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| − | The comprehensive and detailed control of all ideas, beliefs, and statements is one of the most problematic features of [[totalitarian]] regimes.[http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-3816(196002)22%3A1%3C68%3ATIAP%3E2.0.CO%3B2-W] This could be viewed as an argument for or against the politically correct use of language, depending on one's perspective.
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| − | ==See Also==
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| − | *[[Postmodernism]]
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| − | ==Notes==
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| − | <references/>
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| − | ==References==
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| − | An excellent expose [http://www.users.bigpond.com/smartboard/pc.htm "Political Correctness"] by Philip Atkinson
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| − | Dinesh D'Souza. ''Illiberal Education: The Politics of Race and Sex on Campus New York'' Macmillan, Inc./The Free Press, 1991, ISBN 0-684-86384-7
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| − | Henry Beard and Christopher Cerf. ''The Official Politically Correct Dictionary and Handbook'' Villard Books, 1992, paperback 176 pp, ISBN 0-586-21726-6
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| − | David E. Bernstein. "You Can't Say That! Growing Threat to Civil Liberties from Anti-discrimination Laws" Cato Institute 2003, 180 pp, ISBN 1-930865-53-8
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| − | Daniel Brandt. "An Incorrect Political Memoir" Lobster Issue 24: December 1992
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| − | William S. Lind. "The Origins of Political Correctness" Accuracy in Academia, 2000
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| − | Nat Hentoff. ''Free Speech for Me - But Not for Thee'' HarperCollins, 1992, ISBN 0-06-019006-X
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| − | Diane Ravitch. ''The Language Police: How Pressure Groups Restrict What Students Learn'' Knopf, 2003, hardcover, 255 pp
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| − | Nigel Rees. ''The Politically Correct Phrasebook: what they say you can and cannot say in the 1990s'' Bloomsbury, 1993, 192 pp, ISBN 0-7475-1426-7
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| − | Kors, Alan C.; Silverglate, Harvey A. (1998) ''The Shadow University: The Betrayal of Liberty on America’s Campuses'' New York: Free Press. ISBN 0-684-85321-3
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| − | Arthur Schlesinger Jr. ''The Disuniting of America: Reflections on a Multicultural Society'' W.W. Norton, 1998 revised edition, ISBN 0-393-31854-0
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| − | Howard S. Schwartz. ''Revolt of the Primitive: An Inquiry into the Roots of Political Correctness'' Piscataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 2003 Revised Paperback Edition ISBN 0-765-80537-5
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| − | ''Campaign Against Political Correctness'' List of examples cited by the Daily Mail
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| − | Berman, Paul. ed. ''Debating P.C.: The Controversy Over Political Correctness on College Campuses'' New York: Dell, 1992
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| − | Bloom, Allan. ''The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today's Students'' New York: Simon and Schuster, 1987
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| − | D'Souza, Dinesh. ''Illiberal Education: The Politics of Race and Sex on Campus'' New York: Vintage Books, 1992
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| − | Levine, Lawrence W. ''The Opening of the American Mind: Canons, Culture, and History'' Boston: Beacon Press, 1996
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| − | Wilson, John K. ''The Myth of Political Correctness: The Conservative Attack on Higher Education'' Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1995
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| − | ==External Links==
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| − | *[http://www.capc.co.uk The Campaign Against Political Correctness]
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| − | *[http://books.google.com/books?id=8olE_futZogC&pg=PA378&lpg=PA378&dq=communist+%22socially+correct%22&source=web&ots=DYD85Lsf1G&sig=pkoUxDOLFJZsme40QO13zakFZw4 The Chinese Have A Word For It]
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| − | [[Category:Politics]]
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