[color:"orange"] new topic is: is political correctness the only way to respect others?[/color]
Well, I guess we already have agreement, that it is not - and that it would be a sad thing, if it would be.

[color:"orange"] Is political correctness a way to respect others?[/color]
Not much difference to the above, though I concede it could be one way of hopefully many.

What is it then?

Political Correctness is a way to show respect towards others?

That is, what makes it "political" - the show! Political Correctness is not about "respecting", it is about hiding ones true opinions or attitudes, so that one does not offend the other party. Out of respect? Rarely, if not coincidental - in the political context it really is to avoid any clear opinion, that could be interpreted as derogatory by one side of the voting mass, while still, if not openly suppporting, so at least not contradicting the attitudes of the other side of the voting mass.

The change in attitudes, that some of you depicted, that undoubtedly occurred over the course of the years, is a change in attitude in society in general. A result, I believe, that is more due to better education and information - a discussion of ethical values - than of a re-labeling in the course of political correctness.

Note, that I endorse the attempt to try to achieve some "neutral" verbiage. Language is a living thing, and we should, especially in public statements, try to say, what we mean. And if some expressions do have a derogatory notion in their general use and meaning, we should avoid them - unless we mean it.

Because honesty in our speech is more respectful to the people we're speaking of, as well as to those we're speaking to.

Last edited by GlanceALot; 02/11/04 04:00 PM.
In times of crisis it is of the utmost importance not to lose your head (Marie Antoinette)