I heard a term this morning that I hadn't heard before. A physically disabled person was referred to as "differently abled". Up to this point the word was "challenged". There are several different terms for referring to skin color or sexuality. It's difficult to keep up with the ever changing acceptable phrases and PC words. You might say I am "differently challenged" in this area.

My question is does being PC sometimes infringe on our freedom of speech or any other freedoms? Does it every keep us from communicating? Do we overdo being politically correct? Where do you think the line should be drawn.

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Do we over do it? Absolutely, IMO. And yes, I see that as hindering communication, because people are often afraid to express themselves for fear of insulting or bothering someone. And most of the time, I really have no idea who it is protecting. I mean, I know of no Native American that is insulted by being called Indian. Okay, granted that is not a precise term, since we aren't from India. But to be honest, I prefer American Indian, or using the tribal name (Cherokee Indian, Navaho Indian, Cree Indian, etc) to "Native American". So I assume that the term Native American was thought up to protect people of European descent when referring to American Indians, NOT to protect us.

Uh, I was born here. Doesn't that make me a native American?

I have a friend who lost his legs in Vietnam. He calls it a handicap. He says physically challenged is a bear trying to ride a bicycle.

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Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control;
these three alone lead one to sovereign power.
Tennyson

I love it. I am visualizing the bear.

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I feel very challenged by the PC faction and I'm patiently waiting for them to come up with an acceptable term that is sensitive to my challenge while expressing how utterly annoying it is to enforce correctness.

I say violate propriety!

And those of us who use Linux feel challenged by both the PC and the Mac factions!

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Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control;
these three alone lead one to sovereign power.
Tennyson

You really think you're funny, don't cha?

What are you taking, bahai-sojourner???? Too funny! I think the political correctness phase has been actually a negative, because people are sick of it and the over done-ness of it. To some extent, I think it has undermined actual political correctness. We have names in the kids' reading books that they can't pronounce or relate to....there are ethnic children whose names are Jamaica and Chin-chu...but still be faithful to representing those communities in plot, etc. WOW. I think we need to be mindful of political correctness but, as they say, we have had it thrust upon us.

I think that at times when a person is trying to be politically correct, they are denying an aspect of self. (Which I believe can negatively affect them emotionally or spiritually causing self harm)They may not believe what they are saying, but to not say it would be wrong....

Personally, I would rather have someone be honest with themselves and know that what they say or think of me is real. Typically when they are being PC and do not truly believe what they are saying, it can be sensed - and I think that feels worse for the recipient (at least for me). And if nothing else, I may not like what was said, but at least they will have my respect. kiss2

Being PC drives me up the wall sometimes.

There have been calls to ban Christmas here in the Uk so as to not offend Non-Christmas celebrating cultures......same has been said for our national flag in case it upsets non UK born citizens.....how far are we meant to go ?.....

I find this whole PC thing offensive and I require some political correctness to make me feel better. Some PC for PC.

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Snowman1 Men are the same as women, just inside out !Snowman1

and these are mine, mine mine mine ...oh...and wifeys too !