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April 1993

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Subject:
From:
Ernie Wyatt <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 8 Apr 1993 10:50:35 -0400
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        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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