Yes I do.

In some ways. In other ways, there are still openly racist people out there who could learn a lesson in politeness and civility.

The term 'political correctness' is so biased as to indicate by your mere usage of it that you, indeed, believe it is overdone. I, personally, do think that a lot of the social policies and initiatives that people using the term 'political correctness' dismiss are quite justified and necessary.

Yes in some ways it's almost like reverse prejudice. By being overtly sensitive about how we refer to things, we inadvertently reveal that we actually have issues with those very things. It's like the linguistic version of when everyone looks away as a spastic guy with a giant head gets on the train, making it more obvious that they are acutely aware of him.

Yes, for political correctness. I believe in ethical and moral correctness, but to take the seemingly right stance so as to not seem out of step with others is wrong. I value diversity and enjoy jokes where I am the butt as much as laughing at others' vagaries. We all sometimes make mistakes, and there must be some leeway for honest errors. As an example, I once produced a real gaffe by asking a stubborn coloured colleague to "play the white man". He rather graciously saved me by replying that he'd need white magic to do that, and he only knew black magic. However there is a difference between honest mistakes and deliberate taunting, on either side of a fence, and deliberately causing emotional hurt is wrong.

Yes, over done and full of double standards, being political correct towards one, eases way and possibility of being unintentionally political incorrect towards other one, as every individual has different approach of freedom, human rights, etc.

Oh yeah. State things how they are. Don't put it politely, because that's just phony.

Saying you don't like or tolerate something or someone in a "nicer" way. Now it has a name and it's still insulting and hurtful.

absolutely, it has the power to turn society into a bunch of fakes. diversity cannot be celebrated when the intent is to control how diverse you are willing to allow people to be. tolerance must go full circle. you cannot expect people to tolerate the way you are without conditions if you are unwilling to do the same for others.

Yes as they say cut to the chase

To see things in political correctness is to see things in gray, rather then black and white and to see things for what they REALLY are.

Hell yes! I think all those whiny little beeyotches need to and stop taking out their frustrations on those of us who have more important things to do that quintuple-check everything we say so as not to risk offending dyslexic Aleut lesbians or other minority with the improper use of a word.

Hell ya!

YES definitely. I am afraid I am renowned for my lack of adherence to the cause. I loathe most of it, it has gone overboard to the level of complete stupidity

yes, i hate being called a pumpkin american. I am a proud American. of pumpkin descent.

Yes, it drives me nuts, everyone pussyfooting around too afraid to say what they think

Political correctness compromises freedom of speech. But if you tell it the way it is, some people put up an act by lack of good arguments. We should ignore these fake sentiments, instead of using political correctness.

No, just medium rare. While I am all for sensitivity, I do not think it should require an entire dictionary of special terms. I prefer tact and genuine sensitivity over PC myself.

It depends on how deep you are in the political partie you are involved in.

Yep. If you say anything remotely offensive, even in trying to clear your name: For example "Did you call him a..." and you say "I DID NOT CALL HIM A...". And people who the "word" pertains to hang you instead. Even though you made a stride to protect your image in shock.

Damn right it is.

Yes! I wish people could feel more free to just express their true feelings without worry over being politically correct.

Totally. Theres no doubt about it - You're talking about sensoring every word we utter? That's insane. I'm going to continue to state "I am fat", and not spout some crap that in some format matches "I am horizontally challenged"

Yes, It polerizes. Some are way to much concerned - then there are others forced into the other extreme. A resonalbe cente should take the reigns.

Yes much too far in my opinion

[Duplicate question: http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/282733] I think Political correctness is over-done.

On occasion it does - such as gingerbread men now being known as gingerbread people in my local bakers. No-one can seriously tell me that they have been offended by gingerbread men! However, I have heard people complaining about political corectness and then going on to make some pretty racist or sexist comments... I think political correctness is an unfortunate term, but in so far as it refers to the unnacceptability of outdated and offensive attitudes I am all for it.

I think the question is too general -- too abstract. What are we really talking about specifically? It seems to me there are two competing forces: on the one hand, those who care about others recognize that it's possible to offend people with bigoted or marginalizing language. I can't think of any white person I know who still uses "the N word" regularly. On the other hand, if we become too entangled in trying to avoid all linguistic sharp edges, it's possible to reach a state where it's hard to say anything useful. The example which comes to mind is from a few years back, when there was a move afoot to replace "disabled" with "otherly abled". Look: if someone can't walk because their legs were damaged in a land mine explosion, there's just no good way to turn that into an "alternative legstyle" without being silly. I think the way to resolve the apparent conflict between these competing forces is to recognize that the source of the problem in language choices always comes down to lack of compassion. When we see others as being "them", something external and object-oriented, we lose touch with our natural ability to put ourselves in their shoes and consider how they might feel about certain words. If you can put yourself in their shoes, it's not that difficult to find the right words to say what needs to be said. If you can't do that, and you need somebody to hand you a political-correctness dictionary of good and bad words, it's just time to get out more and meet people who aren't like yourself.

After witnessing some of the haters on this site, I can see why some lean toward political correctness.

I think two things need to be considered: telling the truth and giving benefit of the doubt. If I'm asked to describe myself physically to a stranger so that they can spot me, I'd have to use words describing my skin color, hair color, height and weight. I would use those same descriptors to identify someone else as well. That doesn't make me a bigot or a racist - I'm simply truthfully describing a person's identifying physical features. It was perfectly ok to have a movie called "White Men Can't Jump", right? But it got Jimmy the Greek fired from TV sports broadcasting to say, in effect "black men CAN jump". Let's not assume the worst about people - give remarks some context and incorporate what you know about the person into any judgments about them you may make. "Political correctness" changes daily anyway; a person's character does not.

I actually think political correctness is what they call a "straw man" argument (or should that be "straw person"?) mainly invented by people who feel like they ought to be able to say whatever they damn well feel like with impunity and anyone who actually- you know- tries to be nice to people- well they'r eobviosusly just some bleeding heart PC do-gooder. A lot of the stories about "political correctness gone mad" we find in the popular press are actually distortions, in much the same way as stories which conveniently blame "health and safety reasons" for halting activities are usually actually down to something else entirely. We are told "The PC folk want us to say anchorperson and not anchorman!" "We can't say blackboard any more, we have to say chalkboard! What fools!" Now honestly- when was the last time you heard ANYONE tell you off for saying blackboard? How many people, whatever their political colours, actually have any problem with the word "anchorman"? And does anyone really think that even the most progressive liberal minded person even seriously thinks about using terms such as "vertically challenged" rather than "short". These so called idiocies are mainly inventions of the non-PC-and-proud brigade used to make their own bigotry seem sensible by comparison. The famous story about a school banning "baa baa black sheep" on closer inspection proves nothing to do with PC intentions- the school made some changes to the song to make it more varied and more educational- changing verses to "baa baa black sheep, baa baa white sheep, baa baa big sheep, baabaa small sheep" and so on. Political Correctness is an invention brought into being to justify it's opposite- it is purely a tool primarily used by bigots to ridicule those who believe that women deserve equal pay for equal work and immigrants probably aren't secretly plotting the end of western civilisation.

i would say in the uk a bit - but not too much

A bit, but not as much as it was in the early - mid-nineties.

Not enough. We need more civility in the world. What gives PC a bad rep is the lack of sincerity. For most, saying what you really feel comes out not as a virtue but as poor taste and ignorance.

I believe that "trends",in an attempt to "balance"/"correct"/evolve themselves, respond, in direct proportion, to what has gone before; like the back and forth swinging of a pendulum. One can take current political correctness as a polar opposite to some time in the past when too little regard for "the other" was acceptable behavior. What IS, now, will (when now is some distant past) be a polar opposite for another "balancing" of what will be?

Definitely - the world would be a much better place if everyone were hateful and uncivil in their communications, and showed as little respect for other groups of people as they possibly could. Don't you think?

No. It could stand alot more manners and politeness and consideration for other's feelings. And much of that is in the definition of "politically correct." We are still a fairly rude and inconsiderate society unfortunately.

No, we are just very unused to having to tender everyone with equal respect and consideration.

Personally I believe political correctness has gone too far. Some of the changes were needed and are necessary but some are just plain silly. If you treat people with courtesy and respect that is what is required not to be told what words and actions you can or should use in every situation.

Personally, I wish it'd go a bit further, and fall off the edge ! Good bl**dy riddance.

Political correctness threatens the very fabric of modern society. What is your favourite colour? Red? Blue? Hell no, you respect all colours and are happy that such diversity exists. Sorry this is plain wrong! The reason that we fought (and won) two world wars is that we have the right to free speech that is "free" not free as long as long as you don't mention anything that may upset a minority. Christmas is Christmas, its is not "Winter Holiday" The english flag cannot be flown in England because it may cause "offence"- well that flag was good enough for millions of English to fight and die for, but it cannot be flown during the world cup! (a soccer tournament). Minorities are minorities and their voice should be in proportion to their size, minorities make up less than 10% of the population in England but in effect everyone is walking on egg shells because of this PC nonsense. Be confident, be calm, state your truth sensibly, do not try to cause offence, but do not sell out your heritage, and lets bin this PC nonsense for ever.

No, but some conservatively minded people are having trouble realising that is important to think about how others feel.

It's getting ridiculous, people are only nice to others out of fear of persecution and angry bigots in their homes, I think developing a sense of humour would be more socially beneficial than wearing shutters and pretend that everyone is nice when they're not.

Some things just are. They are not good or bad. If you witness a crime and are asked to describe a person....shouldn't you mention the color of their skin? along with eye color, ht, etc.?

I was chastised and rebuked by certain members of my church for questioning the Islamic background of presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama. I thought we had freedom of speech in this country and how soon we forget who attacked our country on 911.

way to far---just my thoughts---smile and enjoy the day

Yes

Politically Correct: Being politically correct is just another way to tip toe through the barnyard and not getting manure on your shoes...you don’t track any in the house...but you still smell like shit...

Not just "overdone" - the absolute *bane* of 'modern' society!

Yes. Too many people are easily "offended" these days.

I don't think we need to aim PC, as muhc as we need to try to inderstand someones situation. When you become more aware about race, religion, and sexual orientation or even social classes and the problems the indivuduals face you won't have a problem trying to be "PC" because it will come naturally and won't be overdone.

YES!

Yes. People are too sensitive and sensitivity just fuels the fire.

Yes, definitely, but interestingly, I've often found that it's people outside of a "targeted group" who get offended / upset on behalf of those supposedly targeted by non-PC terms - the target group themselves often don't seem to care at all about some of these so-called non-PC terms.

I spent a great deal of time on this subject yesterday. I won't repeat it all, if you want my thoughts and many others here you go. http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/4722539 http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/4718630

Yes. I believe that the original intent of political correctness was good... in concept. However, it has been taken way too far. I kind of gave up trying to keep up with it in the 80's. I learned back then that no matter how I try to keep up with it, no matter how hard I try to learn the preferred terms, I am going to offend someone. Instead of trying to change language to not offend, I think that work should be put in to change attitudes. PC'dom is a bandaid used to cover a gaping wound. I think that logic should be applied and logic says that words with such an immense onus as "n*gger" should be avoided. That word has an immense historical linking with extreme violence and, until recently, was only used in a pejorative sense. The same can be applied to the word "fag." Also words that evolved simply and solely as slurs, such as "chink." But going to extremes to seek out anything that MIGHT offend is a bit silly.

Yeah, too bad it hasn't done squat to deter the behavior it seeks to correct

Yes it has, people have become over sensitive.

YES! They are trying to ban Christmas over here as they think it is offensive to non-christians! And also, some councils are saying the world "British" is racist to immigrants. I say, if you immigrate to Britian, then you are British, full stop!

I can't even put on my black face anymore without a middle aged white guy thinking I'm a "hatemonkey"

This highly divisive and subjective strategy of Marxism and Maoism was first implemented by the New Left back in the 1960s. Since that time it has permeated the mindset of all guilt-ridden liberals, including liberal Republicans (RINOs). It is a crutch to those who lack valid arguments or evidence. Projection at its finest. ;-) Let's get one thing straight right now: NO ONE HAS A "RIGHT" NOT TO BE OFFENDED!

Fuck yeah.

YES!! I think it's wrong to keep the Pledge of Allegiance out of the classroom. If a student doesn't want to say it, then they can sit quietly for a moment while others in the class recite it. The kids shouldn't have go scampering off to an upstairs gym on their own time to say the Pledge. Why should they have to hide it? http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20081114/NEWS/81114027

Those who promote Political Correctness keep saying that it is just about being polite to each other. Then try to deny that it is getting out of hand. However, I just heard another example of how it is getting over done. There is a city in Missouri where they are actually trying to change the name of handicapped parking spots to accessible parking spots. This is the sort of thing that causes people to say that PC is over done.

Yes, that's why I use as many politically incorrect terms as I can on a daily basis. Such as black. I detest the term african american with a passion that burns. I'd probably also go to that bunny ranch in reno and call all the girls whores (because hooker is just too pc). Also, I love the word retard. Yeah, I'm a walking fount of abrasiveness.

Yes. I have lost count of how many political correct terms their are and I find it annoying how people keep changing them. Black -> Negro, African American, Mongoloid. Half the time using one of the "correct" terms is offensive. Mexican -> Chicano, Latin, Mexican American, Hispanic. None of those term will be a winner. I mean im white... yet you rarely ever hear any white person complaining about being called "white". I honestly don't get it. Also who gets to decide when something is correct and isn't correct? Heck even in the military I can't say Christmas. It has to be "seasonal festivities". This whole lets not offend anyone spiel is offending my sense of intelligence. If I have the right of free speech, why not let me use it eh?

yes, of course so have the fucking loonies and those deranged homo's.Mad! MAD! IT MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL!!!!!! I am a State Senator. Oh! And Neg me! I do not care +5 for you all.

There is a difference between PC and caring ( I hope) and I think that the right to speak our minds has disappeared in a mist of social correctness. Is it time to just be ourselves?

Yes people are so freakin sensitive it makes you want to piss them off.

Yes it has. Being nice is one thing. Dumbing down everything, and trying to make everything one color is stupid. Blacks are black, mexican are mexican, and that's just the way life is.

WE try to avoid perjorative terms like "mad".Its having some emotional instability

No, but people have gone mad insisting on political correctness. Why would anyone want political correctness? Political correctness is nothing more than a way to candy coat scenarios to attract support. It is nothing more than a lie to garner support, even though the PC advocate does not actually support the common viewpoint.

Absolutely.

I hear ya!! Even "waitress" is politically incorrect! Now it's "server". I'm sorry, but that's retarded <--- yes, retarded. I would rather be defined as a woman who WAITS on someone rather than just a person who SERVES someone. What's with all the job titles that imply "female" changing?? Last time I checked, I didn't have a problem with someone emphasizing the fact that I'm female. What's wrong with being specific? Why is everything so damn general nowadays!? GOD!!!!

No. It has not gone mad. It started that way.