This week we focused our class discussions on the subject of political correctness which lines up perfectly with our schools pledge to end the word. This is a great example of how PC language can be beneficial to society. Taking part in such an activity provides positive externalities to everyone as it demonstrates one of the few cases how we as people can all agree on eradicating the use of the "r-word". While some such eradications do seem helpful, the majority do more harm than good. For example, in source A, Kakutani illustrates through her use of euphemisms how people say things such as "'the underhoused'" to refer to the homeless. This phrase creates the false sense of hope and improvement in society, when in actuality people are still suffering in the streets without homes.
The problem does not end with creating this euphemism, later on people will try to change this euphemism to almost a point where they undermine the problem making it seemingly non existent. This would essentially distract everyone from caring from the big picture, and rather activists would work on correcting unnecessary mistakes. Kakutani also promotes this point as she points to the drive of PC to change the name of Santa Claus and even Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address.
Taking both pros and cons into consideration, it is difficult to decide whether PC is truly good or bad. Rather to succeed in positive change we must find a middle ground to accomplish such a goal.
Hi Vibhi! I'm in the same room as you, but i just need to comment on your blog that this post is very good. I agree with your conclusion. Instead of arguing, we need to come to a middle ground.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow we have a concert! Here's some motivation:
According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway because bees don’t care what humans think is impossible.
Sorry its late and im bored