How PC can you get?

[DaveinGermany]

Originally Posted by Lee

I do however try not to use words like that because they have caused significant damage in the past to some people. And so it begins.

Its not that you cannot say the words but people are increasingly more sensitive about them. Which means you can't say them, thereby restricting your free speech less you offend

Which brings us back full circle !

[DaveinGermany]

Originally Posted by Eric

"Mentally well balanced" Are you dealing from a full deck?

When I say well balanced I wasn't talking Newfies, they must be on a par with our politicoes.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by DaveinGermany

Which brings us back full circle !

Not restricting your free speech, you still have every right to say these things, you just may upset some people. Its up to you If you still want to say them or not.

For example, I will continue to say blackboard, I have no problem with that. If that really upsets someone then I think the problem is theirs, not mine.

I will no longer describe people as Eskimo as I do feel that can be legitimately offensive to some people and do not think it is the correct term I would like to use.

You can say mong all you want, use it in whatever context you like, it just might upset some people who disagree with its use, they also have the right to give you their opinion.

[Lee]

After spending 4 months in Newfoundland (all winter), I realised you would have to be at least a little crazy to live there.

[Michael1954]

Originally Posted by Lee

Not restricting your free speech, you still have every right to say these things, you just may upset some people. Its up to you If you still want to say them or not.

For example, I will continue to say blackboard, I have no problem with that. If that really upsets someone then I think the problem is theirs, not mine.

I will no longer describe people as Eskimo as I do feel that can be legitimately offensive to some people and do not think it is the correct term I would like to use.

You can say mong all you want, use it in whatever context you like, it just might upset some people who disagree with its use, they also have the right to give you their opinion.

Is it really OK to call someone a mong? How about spastic? I remember during my school days that calling someone a spastic, or spas, was frequently used as an insult or put down, but nowadays, quite rightly, it is seen as insulting and upsetting to those with Down's Syndrome and their families. I think there is a big difference between using unpersoned and mong.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by Michael1954

Is it really OK to call someone a mong? How about spastic? I remember during my school days that calling someone a spastic, or spas, was frequently used as an insult or put down, but nowadays, quite rightly, it is seen as insulting and upsetting to those with Down's Syndrome and their families. I think there is a big difference between using unpersoned and mong.

I agree but find this "PC gone mad", "Cant say anything anymore incase someone gets offended" talk bogus. I wouldn't say "unpersonned", I don't think anyone is truly upset by unmanned but if somebody chooses to say that for whatever reason, I have no problem with that.

There is someone on my facebook feed from Canada who says "Womyn" instead of "Women" because he's a crazy feminist. I laugh every time I see it but it does not bother me that he does that.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Lee

After spending 4 months in Newfoundland (all winter), I realised you would have to be at least a little crazy to live there.

Four months of winter! You gotta be kiddin' me ... it's at least twice that And my two cent's worth is: Newfoundland is one beautiful piece of real estate.

Top Destinations ? Newfoundland and Labrador ? So Many Great Finds in One Place

[Lee]

Eric, dont get me wrong, I love that place. Its the sheer amount of snow that would put me off living there permanently, as Im told that was a mild winter!

Ive attached my favourite pic from Newfieland, taken in March at Gros Morne national park.

[Less]

Originally Posted by Lee

Of course I have, its easy. (glad you took your turn at being condescending)

I gave better examples, Chalkboards, and Baa Baa Rainbow sheep.

I didn't think he was being condescending, though you give strong hints towards it.
I thought your examples very poor, straight from the pages of that fantasy rag the Daily Mail.

Talking of rags, when I was very young, I inherited a rag doll from my older brother.
It was better known as a 'Golliwog', it had first been used by my Father and he had named it Sambo.

I loved my Golliwog and I imagined that he loved me, he learnt all my childish secrets his origin didn't matter he could have been bright yellow with green spots so far as I or in fact anyone else that had owned him was concerned.
Around that time it just didn't matter, thousands of children had similar companions they were all loved.

My cousin also had a black doll that went everywhere with her it's colour didn't matter it was loved and just as well looked after as any of her other dolls.
Somehow thank's to the willingness of not wanting to upset minorties children these days aren't allowed to have such things, is it better now or was there a greater amount of tolerance when as a child you could be given a golliwog or a black dolly with no-one taking offence on behalf of people that aren't offended in the first place?

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Lee

Eric, dont get me wrong, I love that place. Its the sheer amount of snow that would put me off living there permanently, as Im told that was a mild winter!

Ive attached my favourite pic from Newfieland, taken in March at Gros Morne national park.

Great pic there, Lee. Captures the rugged beauty of the Rock Newfoundland and Labrador is becoming a hot tourist destination, especially for those who are tired of the over-developed, plastic places like Hawaii and the Costa del Whatever And I have little doubt that you noticed what great folks the Newfies are.



And just in case anyone thinks I'm wandering off-topic, most Newfoundlanders don't know what pc'ism is. They are too busy out on the ice, clubbing seals, in the face of pc criticism from the likes of Paul MacBeatle and others who will never have to go out onto the Grand Banks to catch fish in order to scrape out a living.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by Less

I didn't think he was being condescending, though you give strong hints towards it.
I thought your examples very poor, straight from the pages of that fantasy rag the Daily Mail.

Talking of rags, when I was very young, I inherited a rag doll from my older brother.
It was better known as a 'Golliwog', it had first been used by my Father and he had named it Sambo.

I loved my Golliwog and I imagined that he loved me, he learnt all my childish secrets his origin didn't matter he could have been bright yellow with green spots so far as I or in fact anyone else that had owned him was concerned.
Around that time it just didn't matter, thousands of children had similar companions they were all loved.

My cousin also had a black doll that went everywhere with her it's colour didn't matter it was loved and just as well looked after as any of her other dolls.
Somehow thank's to the willingness of not wanting to upset minorties children these days aren't allowed to have such things, is it better now or was there a greater amount of tolerance when as a child you could be given a golliwog or a black dolly with no-one taking offence on behalf of people that aren't offended in the first place?

Another fine example, Im sure you loved your Golliwog. I know to you as a child It wouldn't have had any racial significance at all. Im sure the person who gave it to you didnt think it all that political neither.

The problem came when people decided to adopt its name as a racial insult The name of a toy which is basicially a loose racial caricature started to be used often to hurt and oppress the people it resembled.

As you say the toy could have been any colour, could have had spots. So there was no harm when people decided a toy with green spots was probably a more appropriate toy, given the new political symbolism of the golliwog.

Its like the Swastika (not on scale of harm of course). The Buddhist symbol did not carry any negative meaning until the Nazis come along and committed their atrocities. Nowadays the Swastika is seen in a wholly negative light with new meaning, despite what it originally was.

Despite what you see your Golliwog as, a loving companion. That does not take away that its name and image where also used to cause great harm, harm greater than you no longer being able to see children running around with your beloved childhood toy.

[DaveinGermany]

Originally Posted by DaveinGermany

the step-mum said jokingly to me, "Not like that you mong !"

The peep of the checkout swipe stopped, the young girl (18-20) on the till then told step-mum "you can't say that !"

So you tell me, are we really that far from the "contrived facetious"

Have a look here Calling animals 'pets' is insulting, academics claim - Telegraph

And here even closer to home http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/889309-post17.html

Originally Posted by Lee

Not restricting your free speech, you still have every right to say these things, you just may upset some people. Its up to you If you still want to say them or not.

You can say mong all you want, use it in whatever context you like, it just might upset some people who disagree with its use, they also have the right to give you their opinion.

Please read carefully what's written & not what you assume to be written Lee. And yes my free speech is impeded, because if I must be constantly looking over my shoulder while holding a conversation just in case someone takes offence at a word I've used in a discussion which is not directed at them or about them but they may take umbrage on behalf of whoever/whatever it was I'd mentioned.

Originally Posted by Michael1954

Is it really OK to call someone a mong? How about spastic? I remember during my school days that calling someone a spastic, or spas, was frequently used as an insult or put down,

Was that what was said Mike ? As I advised Lee, please read what's actually been written & not assume. By your response you have just proved my point quite succinctly, the taking offence & getting affronted at something "that was said" ? without knowing or understanding the reasoning behind the comment/term used.

[cashman]

Well reading the last few posts, its easy to see fer me,how the P.C. brigade was formed.

[Michael1954]

Originally Posted by DaveinGermany

Have a look here Calling animals 'pets' is insulting, academics claim - Telegraph

And here even closer to home http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/889309-post17.html



Please read carefully what's written & not what you assume to be written Lee. And yes my free speech is impeded, because if I must be constantly looking over my shoulder while holding a conversation just in case someone takes offence at a word I've used in a discussion which is not directed at them or about them but they may take umbrage on behalf of whoever/whatever it was I'd mentioned.



Was that what was said Mike ? As I advised Lee, please read what's actually been written & not assume. By your response you have just proved my point quite succinctly, the taking offence & getting affronted at something "that was said" ? without knowing or understanding the reasoning behind the comment/term used.

I was responding to the final paragraph of Lee's post 33.

[DaveinGermany]

Originally Posted by Michael1954

I was responding to the final paragraph of Lee's post 33.

I appear to be coming at this from the other side, my misunderstanding, so my apologies Mike.