Political Correctness

[Virginian87]

My favorite football team is the Washington Redskins.  For the last ten years or so, people have been trying to change the name because they believe it portrays a bad racial stereotype of Native Americans.  I'm not racist, and I'm sure nobody else on this forum (with the possible exception of NixonNow after the Duck Sauce fiasco) is either, yet I think that for the purposes of tradition and the fact that the team has no offensive symbol or attitude towards Native Americcans, the team name should be left unchanged.  I think political correctness in general, though, has gone too far.  What are some of everybody else's thoughts on this subject?  Cite examples to support your statements.

[Joe Kakistocracy]

Stupid political correctness.  I wonder if any of the complaints have actually come from actual Native Americans?

[DanielX]

I think the Redskins should keep the name, but change their mascot to a potato.

[Virginian87]

Here's the joke: almost none of the complaints came from tribes. 

Did you guys also hear that the NCAA banned all mascots that portray Native Americans, including respectful and authentic ones like FSU's and Illinois' mascot from showing up at tournament games?  The Seminoles of Florida actually support the FSU logo and are proud of it.

[Gabu]

Personally, I think all comments regarding "offensiveness" should be automatically disregarded unless the comment comes from someone actually in a group being made fun of.  Even if it does, the standard should be very high before anything is done about it.  If being constantly exposed to the name "Washington Redskins" actually is causing serious psychological damage to many Native Americans, then maybe they have a case, but not in any other case.  You don't have a right not to be exposed to things you dislike in life.

[Cashcow]

I read an article about this. A poll was taken among Native Americans; only 9% are offended by and/or wish the team name be changed.

[Gabu]

I read an article about this. A poll was taken among Native Americans; only 9% are offended by and/or wish the team name be changed.

I'd be interested to know what the percentage is among non-Native Americans.  I have a feeling that it wouldn't be much lower.

[bullmoose88]

I don't see the quakers suing UPenn or the Irish bitching about Notre Dame.

[Virginian87]

Gov. Jeb Bush called the NCAA ban on Indian mascots "ridiculous" today, referring to the ban of FSU's mascot, Chief Osceola.  He said, "I think they insult those people by telling them, 'No, no, you're not smart enough to understand this. You should be feeling really horrible about this.' It's ridiculous."

[AuH2O]

Obviously political correctness is a serious problem, but the real problem is that many people buy into its lesser manifestations and then whine about its larger ones.

For instance, "African American." I never, ever say that and never will, unless the person in question refers to whites as "European American." But many people walk around saying "African American" like whites should grovel in shame before the mighty hyphens.

[Richard]

Obviously political correctness is a serious problem, but the real problem is that many people buy into its lesser manifestations and then whine about its larger ones.

For instance, "African American." I never, ever say that and never will, unless the person in question refers to whites as "European American." But many people walk around saying "African American" like whites should grovel in shame before the mighty hyphens.

You may call me African American.   Afterall, I was born in Africa and live in the Americas.  We're beyond things such as skin color, y'know.

[Virginian87]

Obviously political correctness is a serious problem, but the real problem is that many people buy into its lesser manifestations and then whine about its larger ones.

For instance, "African American." I never, ever say that and never will, unless the person in question refers to whites as "European American." But many people walk around saying "African American" like whites should grovel in shame before the mighty hyphens.

So do you call them blacks or what?

[John Dibble]

Did you guys also hear that the NCAA banned all mascots that portray Native Americans, including respectful and authentic ones like FSU's and Illinois' mascot from showing up at tournament games?  The Seminoles of Florida actually support the FSU logo and are proud of it.

I thought of this when I saw this thread. Politically correct people often don't even look at the facts about people being offended or not, they are just so afraid that someone is offended by something that they must use something politically correct.

Another example of stupid PC is the term "Flight Attendent" as if somehow the term "Stewardess" is offensive.

[Virginian87]

Did you guys also hear that the NCAA banned all mascots that portray Native Americans, including respectful and authentic ones like FSU's and Illinois' mascot from showing up at tournament games?  The Seminoles of Florida actually support the FSU logo and are proud of it.

I thought of this when I saw this thread. Politically correct people often don't even look at the facts about people being offended or not, they are just so afraid that someone is offended by something that they must use something politically correct.

Another example of stupid PC is the term "Flight Attendent" as if somehow the term "Stewardess" is offensive.

Whatever.  When I fly, I still refer to them as stewardesses.

[Joe Kakistocracy]

What about the male 'flight attendants'?

[John Dibble]

What about the male 'flight attendants'?

Stewards, the male version of stewardess.

[Joe Kakistocracy]

What about the male 'flight attendants'?

Stewards, the male version of stewardess.

I know, I was just joking.  That's what I call them anyway. 

[AuH2O]

Obviously political correctness is a serious problem, but the real problem is that many people buy into its lesser manifestations and then whine about its larger ones.

For instance, "African American." I never, ever say that and never will, unless the person in question refers to whites as "European American." But many people walk around saying "African American" like whites should grovel in shame before the mighty hyphens.

So do you call them blacks or what?

Yes, if I am "white" they are "black." If I am "European American" they are "African American."

There is a problem with the reciprocal approach. The technical equivalent to "caucasian" is "negro," which while not originally a pejorative has certainly come to be one due to its use in the past.

[Virginian87]

Obviously political correctness is a serious problem, but the real problem is that many people buy into its lesser manifestations and then whine about its larger ones.

For instance, "African American." I never, ever say that and never will, unless the person in question refers to whites as "European American." But many people walk around saying "African American" like whites should grovel in shame before the mighty hyphens.

So do you call them blacks or what?

Yes, if I am "white" they are "black." If I am "European American" they are "African American."

There is a problem with the reciprocal approach. The technical equivalent to "caucasian" is "negro," which while not originally a pejorative has certainly come to be one due to its use in the past.

Not particularly.  In scientific circles, it is the correct term when referring to race, just like Mongoloid is for East Asians.

[AuH2O]

I know, but if you call someone that on the street it might be a problem.

[Joe Kakistocracy]

I think the only kind of political correctness that I can admit to is that I never use 'colored' when referring to black people.  Not so much because I think it might be offensive or anything, but more because it just doesn't make much sense.  White people are far more 'colored' than black people.

[Max Power]

If there's one thing I hate, it's Administrative Proffessional instead of Secretary. If you expect me to call you an administrative proffessional, screw you!

I also hate "Person of Interest" instead of Suspect.

[Virginian87]

"Little People" instead of midgets.

[Ebowed]

Political correctness is a horrible thing.

[Speed of Sound]

while i support pc in some cases, this is rediculous. its not offensive, they have red skin. if Asia started a football team called the white skins, i wouldnt care! plus 91% of them dont care. this makes no sense to me.