Political Correctness: The Scourge of Our Times
Agustin Blazquez with the collaboration of Jaums Sutton
Monday, April 8, 2002
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/656651/posts

Does anyone know the origins of Political Correctness? Who originally developed it and what was its purpose?
I looked it up. It was developed at the Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt, Germany, which was founded in 1923 and came to be known as the "Frankfurt School." It was a group of thinkers who pulled together to find a solution to the biggest problem facing the implementers of communism in Russia.

The problem? Why wasn't communism spreading?

Their answer? Because Western Civilization was in its way.

What was the problem with Western Civilization? Its belief in the individual, that an individual could develop valid ideas. At the root of communism was the theory that all valid ideas come from the effect of the social group of the masses. The individual is nothing.

And they believed that the only way for communism to advance was to help (or force, if necessary) Western Civilization to destroy itself. How to do that? Undermine its foundations by chipping away at the rights of those annoying individuals.

One way to do that? Change their speech and thought patterns by spreading the idea that vocalizing your beliefs is disrespectful to others and must be avoided to make up for past inequities and injustices.

And call it something that sounds positive: "Political Correctness."
__________________

It may have started within communism however .............in our society .........I believe it started ............when .....the left began to try and change the meaning of words.

The earliest one I can remember ......is when they tried to change the meaning of the word ....."discovery" ............which was not even a word until it was used to describe Columbus's voyage across the ocean .......opening up a new land to Europe.

The next example I can recall ......is when the left decided ....the word "homosexxxual" ......was not politically correct .......and .....the spinning new word for homosexxxuality became ......"gay".

There are many more examples since these two redefinitions ......all the way from the words crippled to marriage.


Slim

Originally posted by slim
It may have started within communism however .............in our society .........I believe it started ............when .....the left began to try and change the meaning of words.

Of course...the left again. :rolleyes:


The earliest one I can remember ......is when they tried to change the meaning of the word ....."discovery" ............which was not even a word until it was used to describe Columbus's voyage across the ocean .......opening up a new land to Europe.

You remember that? And I thought I was old.

The etymology of the word "discover"...

c.1300, from O.allforums.netallforums.net. descovrir, from L.L. discooperire, from L. dis- "opposite of" + cooperire "to cover up." Originally with a sense of betrayal or malicious exposure (discoverer originally meant "informant"), the modern meaning "to obtain knowledge or sight of what was not known" is from 1555.


The next example I can recall ......is when the left decided ....the word "homosexxxual" ......was not politically correct .......and .....the spinning new word for homosexxxuality became ......"gay".

Beats the heck out of what you would call them. BTW, it's spelled "homosexual".


There are many more examples since these two redefinitions ......all the way from the words crippled to marriage.


Slim

Isn't it amazing that the "left" has the power to redefine words...

Originally posted by Decka
Political Correctness: The Scourge of Our Times
Agustin Blazquez with the collaboration of Jaums Sutton
Monday, April 8, 2002
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/656651/posts

Does anyone know the origins of Political Correctness? Who originally developed it and what was its purpose?
I looked it up.

So did I.


It was developed at the Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt, Germany, which was founded in 1923 and came to be known as the "Frankfurt School." It was a group of thinkers who pulled together to find a solution to the biggest problem facing the implementers of communism in Russia.


Hmm...not according to the source I found...


The term politically correct rose to broad usage in the early 1990s, but the term itself is actually much older, leading critics to suggest that such Linguistic sensitivity is nothing new. However, the often quoted "earliest cited usage of the term" comes from the U.S. Supreme Court decision Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), where it clearly means that the statement it refers to is not literally correct, due to the Political status of the United States as it was understood at that time: :''The states, rather than the People, for whose sakes the States exist, are frequently the objects which attract and arrest our principal attention [...]. Sentiments and expressions of this inaccurate kind prevail in our common, even in our convivial, language. Is a toast asked? The United States, instead of the People of the United States, is the toast given. This is not politically correct.'' The first recorded use in the twentieth century was in 1912 in Chapter 1 of Senator Robert La Follette's autobiography. Speaking of his education at the University of Wisconsin, he says "In those days we did not so much get correct political and economic views, for there was then little teaching of sociology or Political economy worthy the name, but what we somehow did get, and largely from [John] Bascom, was a proper attitude toward public affairs. And when all is said, this attitude is more important than any definite views "a man may hold." Again, this clearly refers to incorrect views, in his opinion, as opposed to the current usage of "politically incorrect." Another example of the same literal use of the term is from a passage of H. V. Morton's In the Steps of St. Paul (1936): "To use such words would have been equivalent to calling his audience slaves and robbers. But Galatians, a term that was politically correct, embraced everyone under Roman rule, from the aristocrat in Antioch to the little slave girl in Iconium." After the communist revolution in Russia, Marxist-Leninists used the term to describe the Party line. In terms of modern popular usage, the term politically correct was used jokingly within the left by the early 1980s, possibly earlier, to describe either an over-commitment to various left-wing Political causes, especially within Marxism or the feminist movement, or a tendency by some of those dedicated to these causes to be more concerned with rhetoric and vocabulary than with substance. So on the left the term was primaraily used to mockingly dismiss their own more doctrinare and zealous allies. Around 1990, the term was picked up by those on the Political right, and applied to the vocabulary and positions of left-wing (and even left-of-center) politics generally. Use of the terms PC and politically correct declined in the late 1990s, and it is now mostly seen in comedy or as a Political slur with questionable meaning. The term has now been reclaimed by a tiny subset of writers and speakers who are oblivious or reject its controversial connotations and origins.

http://political-correctness.area51.ipupdater.com/

Are you denying that these shifts in the definition or the meaning of the words I mentioned ..........were not redefined politically from the left of center ..........??

I certainly remember it that way.


Slim

Originally posted by slim
Are you denying that these shifts in the definition or the meaning of the words I mentioned ..........were not redefined politically from the left of center ..........??

I don't see it as a political issue. It's a matter of decency.

You know the article is full of bullshit if it's from the freerepublic.

HELLO .....!! .........*L*.

It is called politcal correctness .......cuzzzzzzzz ...it is someone trying to be politically correct.

You actually think it doesn't have anything to do with politics .......???

Oh that is a good one..............


Slim

Originally posted by slim
It is called politcal correctness .......cuzzzzzzzz ...it is someone trying to be politically correct.

Thanks.


You actually think it doesn't have anything to do with politics .......???

As I previosly posted, it has more to do with decency than politics.

If I refer to you as "physically challenged" as opposed to "crippled", what the hell does that have to do with politics?


Oh that is a good one..............

Thanks again. care to explain why you think it's a political issue? Aside from the name "political correctness" I mean...do you really believe the "War on Poverty" was a real war?

Hopefully your response will contain more than bad spelling, meaningless symbols, and useless punctuation.

SLIM wrote:
.................................................. ................

Originally posted by Vilepagan

As I previosly posted, it has more to do with decency than politics.

who is to say what is decent? I don't think homosexuality is decent.. but i am lamblasted for it. So why are we talking about decency when it doesn't exist?

Originally posted by Decka
who is to say what is decent? I don't think homosexuality is decent.. but i am lamblasted for it.

You are entitled to your opinions Decka.


So why are we talking about decency when it doesn't exist?

I'm sorry you don't think decency exists, but coming from a conservative that shouldn't surprise me. :D

The most common usage for the term Political correctness, is to describe the alteration of language so as to not be objectionable, especially in terms of avoiding offense based on race, gender, disability, or other status.

http://political-correctness.area51.ipupdater.com/

yeah, the big evil left is responsible for all 'political correctness'.

Funny cos it seems it's always the right (including many democrats) who call everyone who criticizes the president or the war 'traitors', 'pro-terrorist', etc.

Originally posted by Vilepagan

I'm sorry you don't think decency exists, but coming from a conservative that shouldn't surprise me. :D


thank you pagan... im glad you respect my right to have an opinion.... and respect is DEFINITELY a two-way street.

now to the quote... i actually DO think decency exists, but i am always called a racist every time i get into it. I consider "decency" to be alot like the word "proper"... or putting your best foot forward, trying to aspire to be something. I always point out the african american culture(notice i didn't say african americans, but the culture) is very un-proper... but so are deep south rednecks too...

And this could actually tie in with the other thread, because MOST leftists will yell "who are YOU to say THEY arent proper"???

well its kind of obvious. You see one culture always coming up to you asking for money, being loud and obnoxious, being very egotistical and picky, butchering the english language, and actually "playfully" being racist by cracking white jokes every three seconds....

and then you see the other culture, being again loud and obnoxious,wearing country clothing, slanging every word with a drawl, beer on their breath, and also guilty of racism.

The thing is... if you want to make it in this world, you have to change your appearance to please those above you. If a rich corporation guy is taking job interviews, and two black guys come in... one in a suit, glasses, well spoken, and friendly... the other in FUBU gear, a black hat tilted sideways, jeans drooping past his ass, and a toothpick in his mouth.... guess who gets the job???

So while its nice to "keep to your culture"... there are bad things about EVERY culture, and whenever i point out and hey, maybe even give some CONSTRUCTUVE CRITICISM... i get called a racist.

just a trend i notice.

Using the word disabled has everything to do with politics ...when your leftist agenda is self esteem building, minority rights over the majority and trying to get the Disabled Americans Act passed in congress.

This has been the surrendercrats socialista agenda for over 40 years.

There is no logic in your analysis of comparing the two phrases .."war on poverty" with politically correct ..........you are just trying to fill space on the forum .....to try and show people you are an intellectual (and it's not working ...*L*).

You aren't .....which is obvious because of your constant (and your spellchecker buddies) intimidation of trying to make me out to be a numbskull. I may not be the genious of the board .....but ....I am not continually trying to prop up my self esteem by criticizing others intelligence.


Slim

I may not be the genious of the board .....but ....I am not continually trying to prop up my self esteem by criticizing others intelligence.

Nah. It's just fun. If you can't have fun, what's the point?

Originally posted by Napsterbater
Nah. It's just fun. If you can't have fun, what's the point?

it may be "fun"... but it reaks of a defense mechanism, or at least an insecurity...

im not in any spot to say anything for certain

Vilepagan

Shame on you!!!!

You aren't usually intellectually dishonest but you were in your statement about when the term politically correct was first used. The usages of the phrase you cited mean nothing like the meaning of the term today as even a cursory reading of the selections will show. What politically correct means in the context of today is a word or phrase that is used to describe a person, place or event. Rather than calling a fat person fat, they are now weight challenged. The bald are no longer bald but follically challenged, ad nauseum.

It is not solely the left that redefines words, phrases and actions as being 'politically correct'. The right also does it so a lesser extent. Political correctness does have to do with the redefinition of words as Decka stated. Since words have power changing their perceived meaning changes that power. This is a tactic used particularly by the left on college campuses where students have been punished simply for calling loud, obnoxious girls, behemoths. Political correctness is an attempt, mainly by the left, to stifle free speech.

I believe a lot of this started when they started calling old people "senior citizens".
There is no shame in becoming old. It is not a crime. It happens to all of us.
It's almost as if there were people out there ASHAMED of old people.
I overheard one crotchety old fella lambast a pharmacist once when the fella asked if he wanted the "senior citizen" discount.

"Dammit!" the old guy shouted. "I am not a senior citizen! I am an old man!"

I hope I have the wherewithall to be that honest when I'm that age!

As for the "follicly-challenged", or "weight-challenged"--well, both would describe Bubba. He prefers to be called fat and bald. But he's a Hoosier and we're funny that way.:eek:

Rendova .....you are exactly ...correctimundo ....*S*.


Slim

it may be "fun"... but it reaks of a defense mechanism, or at least an insecurity...

im not in any spot to say anything for certain

I think it is you with the insecurities...

Originally posted by Napsterbater
I think it is you with the insecurities...

wow what a comeback!

do tell!

LMAO

the whole idea of criticizing others is to bring others down, and some people have to do that in order to "feel important"... have you taken intro to psychology yet Napster? i mean, i know you are just a feeble minded 20 year old and all....

the whole idea of criticizing others is to bring others down, and some people have to do that in order to "feel important"... have you taken intro to psychology yet Napster? i mean, i know you are just a feeble minded 20 year old and all...

Please, by all means, continue. I'm sure you have more than that. Let it all out. And when you're done, I'll give you a big hug.

Originally posted by Napsterbater
Please, by all means, continue. I'm sure you have more than that. Let it all out. And when you're done, I'll give you a big hug.

LMAO

hey im just making observations... so tell me, why are you running away from them?

PC does trickle down from the left, but it's not just to foster decency. It affects politics and decisions.

The best example I can think of is "undocumented worker". An undocumented worker is an alien who is here illegally, but if a politician said "I want to make conditions better for illegal aliens" it would be suicide.

So changing the language made a certain political agenda more palatable.

I suppose I am too feeble-minded to illustrate the psychological principle of projection...

Or did the last post go over your head? Did you just not grasp how the the one going on about defense mechanisms and feeling important just now happened to make attacks on another person out of a defense for the last time I burned you, so that you can feel important once more? Did you not realise that I was giving you a virtual couch to sit on and get all your psychological problems out?

Originally posted by Decka
i mean, i know you are just a feeble minded 20 year old and all....
Napsterbater
Ignorant Asshole Bum
POSTS: 900
JOINED: Aug 28, 2005
FROM: Salt Lake City, Utah
AGE: 22

Napster, is it just me, or have you aged two years in the last week?

Heh heh. In case you were serious, I turned 22 last September. Decka either misread it, or was trying to bait me.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/Bok_Tukalo/fun/calvin.jpg

Drama is an art form. I'm sorry you have no appreciation for it. If it's any consolation to you, I can't stand the vast majority of TV dramas, though I enjoyed House thoroughly the one time I watched it. Character interactions are a very important part of a story.

i say... "save the drama for yo mama"...

I say, "Don't hate on what you don't understand."

Oh yeah, and you're a dumbass. Just had to throw that in. Call it my defensiveness if it makes you feel better.

Originally posted by Napsterbater
I say, "Don't hate on what you don't understand."

Oh yeah, and you're a dumbass. Just had to throw that in. Call it my defensiveness if it makes you feel better.

:o :o :o :o :o :o

***yawn***

I really hope that becomes the answer to everything I have to say. I could have lots of fun with that one.

Originally posted by Frogger
Vilepagan

Shame on you!!!!

You aren't usually intellectually dishonest but you were in your statement about when the term politically correct was first used. The usages of the phrase you cited mean nothing like the meaning of the term today as even a cursory reading of the selections will show.

Yes, which is what I was attempting to point out. Decka had posted that the term was first used by communist propagandists. Shame on you for not realizing this. :)

Shame on you for saying shame on me.

Shame on ..............da bode of ya's .....

Slim