[whataretheysaying] Mary Madigan: On Imus and Political correctness

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Posted by Mary Madigan:
On Imus and Political correctness
http://whataretheysaying.powerblogs.com/posts/1176476673.shtml


   From a discussion [1]at Dean's (edited for spelling mistakes and
   clarity)

   What Imus said was offensive, but the reaction was counterproductive.

   Political correctness grew to monster-sized proportions because it was
   sold to us as a way of fighting racism - but it encourages the problem
   we're supposed to be fighting.

   Racism is based on the idea that one group of people are the 'other' -
   the purpose is basically divide and conquer. Political correctness
   doesn't create the unity that would fight this it creates the disunity
   that encourages it.

   The racist believes that 'they' are not like 'us' and should be
   condemned for that. This belief gives certain words or symbols
   inordinate power. The best way to fight racism is to follow the
   mythical actions of the [2]Danish king who embraced the identity of
   the 'other' during WWII, by wearing a yellow star. The actual story
   never happened, but anyone can understand the symbolic effect - the
   racist attacks someone for being different, the 'other'.

   If everyone assumes the identity of the 'other', they show that the
   'other' is part of the bigger group and is therefore protected by the
   group.

   However, if I say "I'm a nappy headed 'ho and I'm proud" or
   "nappy-headed 'ho's are just like you and me" politically correct
   types would probably pitch a fit. Or they'd say "it's a
   feminist/black/Rutgers basketball thing, you wouldn't understand". Or
   they'd object to the fact that I was saying the 'h word.

   Political correctness creates special interest groups, and those
   special interest groups define themselves by labelling everyone else
   the 'other'. This encourages the bias it's supposed to be fighting.

   When we throw fits about certain words, and hurl accusations back and
   forth, it encourges everyone to classify 'them' as 'others'.
   Politically, you create a 'Life of Brian' scenario of splinter groups,
   where everyone is a 'splitter'. It feeds the problem you're trying to
   fight.

References

   1. http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1176429774.shtml
   2. http://www.snopes.com/history/govern/denmark.htm