NOTICE
5G
The image shows a signal tower emitting a strong radio wave, symbolizing 5G connectivity.
Watch your mouth. When it comes to being politically correct, the most important thing is to consider other people's feelings. Topics such as race, religion and sexual orientation may be touchy for some people so keep your opinions to yourself if they could be considered offensive.
her hand and the teacher points to the back indicating her turn to speak.
n the first day of class, a young woman sits at the back of the room within the grid of chairs, desks and attentive students that surround her. She raises
"My boyfriend and his friends called me 'half-dyke' because I'm taking this women's studies class," she says.
Her friend, sitting beside her, clarifies, "She's dating a frat-boy," she says, and chuckles under her breath.
This situation, a perfect example of politically incorrect humor, may be offensive, however, it continues to be a form of joking used every day. In the past 20 years, a movement to include politically correct speech and prohibit politically incorrect jokes has become popular, but many people have yet to catch on.
Society has obviously changed as an emphasis to be politically correct, or "PC," becomes more prevalent. Edward Johnson, associate professor of
communication studies at Campbell University, says the change is an indication we are moving from a modern to a postmodern society where the fear of offending, rather than the search of truth, becomes paramount. "This change in society results in what we call 'culture wars,' he says. "The postmodern person uses politically correct terms in an attempt not to be judgmental or offensive."
Many times, people today fall short of the expectation to "do no harm." Offensive words such as "fag" and "whore" are still frequently used. Jenn Hunt, Wichita senior, says speech such as this is stupid and ignorant. "People need to use fair language and use it with discretion," she says. "You have to think about what you say before you say it. It's not always easy, but it's essential."
Speech, however, should be controlled by no one else but the person speaking. Hunt says. In the '90s, the "PC" boom brought speech codes and restrictive policies to many college campuses. Since then, legal challenges have deemed many of these rules unconstitutional because they
act as infringements on freedom of speech and expression.
Francine Ward, attorney and former diversity trainer, agrees that speech codes legally violate freedom of speech. Ethically, however, she says she believes people should use politically correct speech. "There is a need for rules and structure in how we behave and communicate with one another," she says. "Because we live in a world where diversity is a reality, with it comes human concerns which need to be addressed and often tempered."
On the spectrum of political incorrectness, humor is the stickiest issue. It's just a joke, right? "When it speaks to your core and brings up years of discrimination somehow it doesn't seem so funny," Ward says.
Offensive jokes probably won't go away anytime soon. So use discretion. To be more politically correct, Ward says to take the time to ask before using a word or phrase that might be offensive.
"Check in with people to see how they feel," she says. "Ask how they would like to be referred to."
For example, some folks don't mind being called Black, others prefer African American. Some prefer Latino and others, Hispanic. It doesn't take much if you are in conversation with a person to ask what's appropriate for them."
Whitney Lampier, Barrington, Ill., senior, says it all depends on the people and the situation.
"If it's just a group of friends or people you don't know making jokes, how others perceive them is based on their background and in what context these jokes are being told," she says. "My friends and I joke around about my ethnicity but I know they don't really mean it. But I tell them to stop when there are other Asians around because they could take it the wrong way."
Ultimately, the issue of being politically correct comes down to balance, discretion and thoughtfulness. Hunt says. The best way to do this is to think about the feelings of others and think about what you say before you say it. $Jp$
11 04
15
10