Monday, November 15, 2010

David Duke said what?

I don't have a problem with the "political correctness" movement. For the most part it's really just being polite. Some people get upset when they can't use certain words that others are able to say or use. But why should that even matter? I don't drop F bombs or use the Lord's name in vain just because other people do it. And it also just so happens I don't use any slang or offensive labels to identify different groups of people. But should I pick up that habit because others "get" to do it?

Having said that, I'm not a fan of the hyphenated American. If you think it's a good idea think about this: Let's suppose the hyphenated American idea was some old white racist blowhards idea. And he held a highly publicized news conference in which he said "from now on, all black people in the USA should be referred to as African-Americans". Now ask yourself how you think people would have responded?

Why do I bring this up? It's because people tend to take sides on issues based on what their "group" says and not always what they think themselves. My Brother-in-law was at a "Right to Life rally" and was stunned to learn that the dude he'd been talking to for awhile and another "pro-lifer" was in fact an atheist. And I have a Christian friend whose "doctrinal beliefs" (What a churches core beliefs are) change whenever he changes churches.

I love my church and for the most part am comfortable with most of our "doctrinal beliefs". But not all of them and not even sure about many others? What I am convinced of Is this; That Christ came to offer himself as a sacrifice for man's sins to a Holy God. He died on the cross. And on the 3rd day he arose.

Missed you guys a lot. Still mention you to God, usually at dinner time. Late, feeno

10 comments:

  1. Hey feeno! It's been a while, man...good to see you back.

    I certainly think that sometimes this political correctness gets overblown, but I still hold a general rule that people should typically have the right to define how they are labelled. That's not a hard and fast rule - for instance, I wouldn't support pedophiles naming themselves "awesome-people". But if a black person wants to be called African-American, I'm happy to do that. And to me, that would trump the term that the white racist wanted people to call them.

    I find that using this general rule of thumb helps to get past some of the rhetoric and onto more important things. In particular, this rule definitely helps when pro-life people call pro-choicers "pro-abortion", and pro-choice people call pro-lifers "anti-choice." Instead of calling people names, let's get onto the actual arguments, shall we?

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  2. Jeff

    I've missed talking with you guys and hopefully I can spend a little more time on the computer?

    I wonder tho how we can determine what a group of people wants to be called when they are so diverse even amongst themselves? Some Native Americans are proud of the names we give our sports teams. Like the Braves, Chiefs, Indians, and even the Redskins. But some are offended.

    I think that some people go out of their way to be hurtful jerks just because they think political correctness has gone to far?

    I'd rather err on the side of political correctness than to offend someone.(?)

    Hey, I see you've written a few things in my absence. Look forward to catching up with your "Disjointed Thinking". late, feeno

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  3. Political correctness is [insert offensive comment pertaining to the use of genitals or excrement].

    You are right that the messenger determines how a message is received, and I doubt humanity will ever lose this bias. My favorite African-American snafu is when people call someone from another country who is black "African-American," like Tony Parker or Seal. It's almost as funny as the fact that people like Dave Matthews or Charlize Theron are also technically "African-Americans," because they were born in South Africa and now hold US citizenship.

    Regarding the sports teams... I know that in one case (the Indians), the offensive part is not the name (though it is a misnomer), but rather the caricature used for the team logo. "Redskins" is arguably offensive, though their logo is at least dignified. Good luck finding any tribes still around with enough money to legally fight it, though. Still shocked that the Washington Bullets changed their names, and that no Christian has come forward to say "Wizards" is offensive to those who oppose the dark arts.

    As a liberal who is utterly embarrassed by the PC movement of the 90's, I personally go out of my way to try to challenge lingual hypersensitivity. I still cannot stand liberal bloggers, who are largely whiney, thin-skinned, bleeding-heart terminology nazis (or terminazis... actually, that sounds more like an android sent back in time by Hitler to kill Winston Churchill).

    Hope everything is going well with you, feeno. Glad to see you still posting.

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  4. 'Sup Geenks, thanks for the sentiment.

    I once tiled a Dr.'s house who was from South Africa with a very heavy accent who has been in America for years and is now an American citizen and he's whiter than my arse. Your right, what is he?

    And if I were an Indian I might be pissed at the term Indian itself. I mean if Columbus would have known where the hell he was they'd be called Americans. Actually I am like 12% Indian but can't tell the difference between a Blackfoot or a Cleveland Indian?

    Hmmm. If Indians were called Americans, what would Americans be called?

    Later Geenks. hope all is well in your world as well.

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  5. Very sweet post, nice to see you back, can't say I disagree.

    I think labels are most useful to the party or group that's chosen the label. There is a certain power when shunned minorities reclaim the taboo or offensive, like gays owning 'queer' or black people taking back 'nigger' in an ownership sense. But that type of labeling is actually directly contrary to political correctness, and not necessarily broadly useful, as such labels tend to reinforce separateness.

    Like much deep liberal practice, PC is a noble idea that looks good on paper but adds up to censorship in practice. And I say this as a 'liberal' although I don't really embrace that label.

    Merry Christmas!

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  6. Thanks GS, I wish I were around more and will keep trying. I tried to visit you but no where to say hi. Enjoy the holidays and the new year.
    peace

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  7. Hey Feeno!

    I just wanted to drop by and wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

    Peace Always,

    SteveO

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  8. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well NCS!
    Thanks.

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  9. Happy New Year Feeno.

    Best wishes for 2011

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  10. Happy New Year to you AND Jeff SteveO

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