Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum

'Politically correct?'

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delalluvia:

--- Quote from: Shuggy on April 29, 2006, 12:33:53 am ---
--- Quote from: starboardlight on April 28, 2006, 08:26:30 pm ---
--- Quote from: Shuggy on April 28, 2006, 08:11:34 pm ---I did once see a definition of "politically correct" that made sense, but I've forgotten it and I've seldom seen a use of the term that meant any more than "I don't like it and I can't be bothered to say why (because if I clarified my thoughts I'd be exposing my prejudices)".


--- End quote ---

for me the definition that has always stuck with me is "respect". I'll give an example. I meet Ellemeno, and she tells me her name is Clarissa. Out of respect I'll address her as Clarissa from now on. I don't just go "That name's too hard for me, I just call you Clare." We as individuals have a right to be called by a name of our chosing, and in the same way, groups of people have a right to decide how they want to be addressed. I think if you approach it from the focus of respect, any missteps in saying the wrong things, will be easily forgiven.

--- End quote ---

I couldn't agree more. Another old-fashioned expression for it is "good manners". There are one or two special cases. I am a Pãkehã (non-Mãori New Zealander, cf Hawai`ian haole). Many Pãkehã hate the expression citing supposed insulting derevations from similar Mãori words. These derivations are nonsense. I strongly suspect the real objection is a racist one, that they object to being described by a Mãori word. They often say they are "just New Zealanders" (and there's recently been a flurry over the ethnicity question in the census). But if they are just New Zealanders, does that mean that Mãori are not New Zealanders? As a Pãkehã, I get very annoyed by other Pãkehã trying to take my name from me.

--- End quote ---

Agree.  For me Politically Correct, started out as the idea that everyone's feelings matter.  It became an unworkable concept, but the idea is still true.

Everyone's feelings DO matter, don't they?

starboardlight:

--- Quote from: Shuggy on April 29, 2006, 12:33:53 am ---
--- Quote from: starboardlight on April 28, 2006, 08:26:30 pm ---
--- Quote from: Shuggy on April 28, 2006, 08:11:34 pm ---I did once see a definition of "politically correct" that made sense, but I've forgotten it and I've seldom seen a use of the term that meant any more than "I don't like it and I can't be bothered to say why (because if I clarified my thoughts I'd be exposing my prejudices)".


--- End quote ---

for me the definition that has always stuck with me is "respect". I'll give an example. I meet Ellemeno, and she tells me her name is Clarissa. Out of respect I'll address her as Clarissa from now on. I don't just go "That name's too hard for me, I just call you Clare." We as individuals have a right to be called by a name of our chosing, and in the same way, groups of people have a right to decide how they want to be addressed. I think if you approach it from the focus of respect, any missteps in saying the wrong things, will be easily forgiven.

--- End quote ---

I couldn't agree more. Another old-fashioned expression for it is "good manners". There are one or two special cases. I am a Pãkehã (non-Mãori New Zealander, cf Hawai`ian haole). Many Pãkehã hate the expression citing supposed insulting derevations from similar Mãori words. These derivations are nonsense. I strongly suspect the real objection is a racist one, that they object to being described by a Mãori word. They often say they are "just New Zealanders" (and there's recently been a flurry over the ethnicity question in the census). But if they are just New Zealanders, does that mean that Mãori are not New Zealanders? As a Pãkehã, I get very annoyed by other Pãkehã trying to take my name from me.

--- End quote ---

and such conflict always happen within groups. even as an individual there are times when you can't make up your mind about how you want to be named. I know I went through some time where I thought I might change my name. Nipith is not a usual name and many people have a difficult time saying it. And my last name, Ongwiseth, just scares people like you wouldn't believe. (btw if you just break it into parts, it fairly straight forward; ong-wi-seth) there are times that I get tired that people get hung up on being so afraid to butcher my name that it hinders them getting to know me. but again, if you just approach it with respect, I wouldn't be offended if you got it wrong.

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