Changes

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, 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".   

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.

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 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>