“Political correctness stems from the understanding that racism and inequality exist, and that in lieu of fixing those problems, prettier language will do the trick—as if by using inoffensive words and avoiding crass jokes we are to paint over the filth of reality.

Politically correct expressions become patronizing because they actually highlight inequalities. One needs to be very precise not to fight racism in a way which ultimately reproduces, if not racism itself, at least the conditions of racism.

The subtext of every carefully chosen, politically correct, expression is that there are still people in a position so privileged that they need to refer to "others" in a way that is not offensive—that doesn't, for instance, make reference to their origin, or skin color. The implication is that there is nothing possibly offensive in the speaker's skin tone or their origin. Jokes and blunt words can't scratch their confidence—no, it's only the rest of the population who needs the protection of politically correct language”

I don’t think it’s that deep tbh. Some people do take it too far and it can come across as patronizing but for the most part it’s just society saying “oh yeah this thing we used to say in reference to these people? Yeah we should probably stop saying it”

I don’t agree with it wholeheartedly but it picks apart some interesting aspects of political correctness

I’d agree that’s what it was born out of, but nowadays people often use it to sugarcoat. For example discussions about fat phobia have reached critical mass. No pun intended.

Yeah s*** like that is crazy and I don’t think I’ll ever be on board.

Yeah but at the same time language is a powerful tool and carries a lot of weight, a lot of oppression comes with a wrong usage of language, but it can also be very liberating and educative, Idk

I mean... Author of this quote seems to focus a whole lot on the thought that political correctness is all about fixing inequalities by simply using different, less offensive, words

I think it's a bit shallow and for example not calling someone an f-word is not about exchanging that word for a "more politically correct" synonym but it's about highlighting the hatred behind this word and actually explaining why it's offensive - with a hope that someone who understands the issues behind this wording will first stop using those words and later on stop thinking in a way that this word describes

don't know if I made it clear lol

Words describe feelings and intentions. When we talk about homophobia or racism it's mostly words that are the fore-front of the actions. So if we start by acknowledging some of the words are offensive we might later on change the mentality and stop the actions

idk

I just think it's only white people who want to use the n-word even tho a black person told them it's offensive are the ones mad about political correctness

Like... we won't get any change going if we keep calling gays the f-word or black people the n-word or people with mental issues r-word

But to me it's super important to highlight the issues behind those words and I get SUPER ANNOYED when someone s***s on me because I unconsciously used an offensive word and when I ask "Why is it offensive" I get a "idk it just is" - this doesn't create any good change just pisses people off

You have to explain WHY this term is offensive to make this about something more than just riding on a high horse feeling better than the person you're correcting

Yall throwing statements at me
You know KTT cant read

This

im the same

Its an effort that’s appreciated but does it change actual injustices committed?

You make yourself look like a waste of bandwidth when you say things like this. Is it funny or something? You just sound like a child or fully stupified adult.

that’s a bit harsh on op

he’s just trying to have a discussion

I think that "politically correct" terms are really just not being an offensive twat and giving people/groups of people the bare minimum respect that all people/groups deserve by addressing them the way they wish to be addressed.

its fun to say naughty words

Shut up butthead

Look man When it comes to comedy and artistic expression then anything goes imo

Thats why im fine with movies like Birth of a Nation, Gone With The Wind, etc. Art is an extension of free speech and people have a right to say what they want just like people have a right to voice dissent with it

It definitely goes beyond that

Thats why they stopped putting swastikas in video games and s*** even though its not meant to offend or disrespect anyone. People just see s*** they dont like and take it personally lmao

Germany lifted its ban on swastikas in video games in 2020

Games in the US still dont have swastikas and s*** by choice

I mean if thats what they wanna do thats fine but it obviously rose out of this era of not trying to offend people

Your last sentence perfectly describes a big issue I see with this type of behavior. Once you open the gates too much, there’s no line to draw. At some point any offense anybody takes will be deemed politically incorrect. This actively encourages people to take everything too personally just to avoid feeling any type of discomfort. Which is ironic in itself. The bar will only be raised more and more.

I’m sorry you feel that way.

I mean most times when a game has swastikas in it it's in reference to Nazis/Nazism.

Then again most games with Nazis in them robotic, zombie, or living, you're killing them. I don't think there are a lot of people out there who have an issue with killing Nazis

Anyone who does have an issue with that it's most likely because they are tired of WWII games and killing Nazi zombies. Which I lowkey agree with, and would love to start killing the KKK in video games more.

You’re right. However, policing language is as much a vehicle for oppression as using it in a negative way is. Imo, instead of censorship, we should focus on explaining injustices in a relatable way.

You can fight bad language with good language, you can’t fight systemic/societal oppression with censorship. All it does is make people find academic ways to say ignorant s***.