Ben, there are a lot of reasons not to debate the "politically
correct" issue on the list. Examples:
(1) It is a futile argument in that nobody ever wins or loses
but the argument goes on and on forever...it's a lot like
debating religion;
(2) The issue almost always results in everybody getting mad;
(3) It's really not the focus of the list...or, for that
matter, of any other list I know of, and therefore
(4) It tends to anger subscribers who want the list to
focus on other things...Screen, for example.
In addition to all this, it's not really a fun thing to
debate. I usually end of feeling much as I do when Jehovah's
Witnesses stand in my doorway and engage me in arguments
about Jesus...or when someone calls me at mealtime and
insists on telling me about the aluminum siding for my
brick house.
But I did mention "PC" in some previous posting, and
I do sense a need to parry your thrusts.
First, let me make this clear: I didn't come up with the
term "the New McCarthyism." I read that. I think perhaps
it was started by a Harvard law professor named Alan
Dershowitz, but I'm not sure he wasn't lifting it from
some earlier source. In any case, I agree with him fully.
The "PC" mania is very like McCarthyism.
Ben, I suspect you think of "PC" as merely political
etiquette...guidelines discouraging insensitive remarks,
etc. Actually, it's a power grab. Careers have been ended
by "PC"; students have been expelled for violating "PC";
deans and other administrators have been threatened,
bullied and controlled by "PC"; a fraternity was kicked
off a campus because one employee violated "PC." Jobs
have been denied, tenure has been denied, promotion has
been denied by "PC" activists.
"PC" is a definite threat to First Amendment rights of
free speech. "PC" mandates that nothing that is considered
to be offensive will be spoken or written. It's censorship.
Some people say it really doesn't exist. That's ludicrous.
It's so obvious in our society that it is really silly to
deny it exists. I've seen it at work often on my campus.
In fact, it seems that academe is a favorite setting for
"PC."
When George Bush, who often seemed to be aware of so little
else, made a commencement address at the University of
Michigan he said: "...we are finding free speech under assault
in the United States. The notion of political correctness has
ignited controversy across the land. What began as a cause
for civility has soured into a cause of conflict and censorship."
I voted for Clinton, frankly, but George Bush was right on
"PC."
Ben, you ask if my complaint is personal. No, not really. I
haven't been personally harmed by "PC." But it upsets me
that such a mindless and pernicious movement as "PC" could
gain clout in America.
Am I concerned about "PC" on the net, you ask? No, not really.
There are certainly "PC" activists on the net but that's not
how harm is done. The harm results from activists using "PC"
to control people...getting them fired, limiting their careers,
denying tenure, etc.
Finally, Ben, you ask if my complaints against "PC" stem
from my not liking to be disagreed with. No, not at all. In
fact, it tends to be the opposite. I think people should be
allowed to disagree, to have unpopular opinions, to say things
that might be considered offensive by some...but "PC" is
intolerant. "PC" activists set out to punish anyone with an
opposing opinion, just as the McCarthyites set out to punish
anyone who didn't tow the political line.
I hope this explains my viewpoint, Ben, and if you disagree,
so be it. Ernie.
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