General Chat

As David said I certainly wasn't saying you had to be one or the other. I thought that was clear enough in what I said. But if I had to choose one of the two extremes I know where I would be. Hyperbole is part of debate, we see a lot of it here. And, Peter, I am not wrong at all about PC changing legislation. As David so eloquently said that is what it is called now. At the time we were fighting for changes in legislation we were called loonie lefties, rampant feminists and ******* dykes. Plus we were told to get back in the ******* kitchen where we belonged and had abuse and mud thrown at us when we marched and were threatened with violence. It doesn't matter what label you pin on us it worked. And I'm very proud to have been part of the movement that fought for women's rights. If women hadn't been prepared to fight for what was right we'd still be officially second class citizens. We still don't earn, on average, as much as the average man but the gap is closing. I don't approve of the extemes of PC any more than I approve of fascism. But the motivation behind PC is a lot more humane than the fascists. Gwynne

Hi Jim,I see you,re currying favour to be 'Teachers Pet' yet again.Shame on you,I thought it was only T.Blair and his ilk that did that.Oh well we live and learn.Bye Bye.Got to go The Headmaster is calling. Hal.:0)))>.

Please Miss, Hal's being derogatory towards the Neanderthals. They can't help having large frames, heavy brows, and being extinct. Lol

Just got back on again,and read more interesting remarks,Re.Bibles.I,m talking about the early fifties.when you did what you were told,with no backchat or arguement, some one mentioned the Gollies on the Jars.The three letters added to it were only used in derogetitary terms by Neanderthals.The correct term for them was,'Westernised Oriental Gentlemen' which was not intended as an insult as anyone who has lived in the Far East will tell you. Hal.

Can anyone explain to me exactly what 'Powers' the PC Brigade have? Apart, of course, from having the right to press charges via the Equal Opportunities Commission if they think someone has been Discriminatory. There was a Thread on here a while ago about a Pantomime whose name had been edited to remove what was considered to be a derogatory reference to the people who have a condition which causes their legs not to grow very long. A condition known for many years, not in any way derogatorily, as Dwarfism. Personally I would have gone ahead with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and let the PC Brigade do their worst. And, in all honesty, I don't think there is anything they can legally do to prevent it. Another thing which rankles is that we are being FORCED to change the names which were given to various conditions purely and simply because A FEW members of our society have turned the name into a way of insulting those who suffer from being different from THE NORM, whatever that is.

I completely agree with Gwynne. Of course she isn't saying that there are only pc people and bigots - she's clearly stating which of the two she'd rather be a part of...and she really doesn't need me to speak for her but she's been misunderstood. What Gwynne has said is right - the development in society that brought about positive change for those discriminated against is what is now called political correctness. It's a term created by the media and used day after day by people who don't appear to have the imagination to use any other words. Twenty years ago 'loony lefties' was the inspired insult used for anyone who wanted our society to treat people the same regardless of their differences. Many people still struggle against prejudices in life and the people who try and alter that are still needed. Why condemn every one of them and their actions because of a few over the top ones?

We have an Equal Opportunities Comission whose job it is to see that no-one in this Country is marginalised because of...... This I wholly approve of, and at Trust Board Meetings we spend time ensuring that discrimination for whatever reason does not take place within our Organisation. The 'PC Brigade' on the other hand are a bunch of crackpots who have nothing better to do than to annoy. To compare the two is like saying that the Animal Liberation Front and the RSPCA are the same.

Gwynne, The choices you've stated are two extremes. There is a whole range of people in-between who are neither. Extremism was outlawed by Tony Blair. The 'Middle Way' is what we're supposed to be experiencing now and, if it could be made to work, would be a far more acceptable alternative. Sadly, it's up against human nature - and nobody can change that. CB >|<

Gwynne I believe some things have a right to be PC now, as not to hurt individuals. Say for instance the well known brand of Jam, had a small character on the top of its jam jars. Now to me,(and to most of us without a racist bone in our bodies), all I see is a cute golly. But with due respect, I wasn't being called the racist name which was associated with this little gollies full name.. I have black friends (as I have of all nationalities) and remember the playground taunts from other kids during fights, or even from bullies. So removal of this little fella, is deemed necessary, as if it stops one black person being called this full name, then its worth it. But changing the name of a blackboard to a chalk board is PC gone mad, There is nothing remotely racist in the name blackboard, Ive never seen people taunting 'You Black board !' Its all about a happy medium and common sense. I would not consider myself as one of the PC brigade, But I definitely am apposed as being considered a racist, homophobic bigot for not being part of the PC brigade Elaine x

Gwynne You are actually wrong. It wasn't the PC Brigade who brought in the legislation it was sound commonsense that did that. It is the 'PC Brigade' who try to add their own spin to the interpretation of the legislation, in ways that is was never intended and which actually cause damage, rather than brings anyone benefits.

It was the 'PC brigade' who brought in legislation to say that women should not be discriminated against in the workplace and were entitled to equal pay for equal work. The 'PC brigade' brought in legislation to say that all public buildings should be accessible to wheel chair users and those with mobility problems. Just two examples of where legislation had to be used because it wouldn't have happened otherwise. I want to live in an equal society where no one is discriminated against for any reason. I don't care how much it costs. What would I rather be? A member of the much maligned PC brigade or a racist, homophobic bigot? An easy choice to make. Gwynne

I am one of the first to acknowledge that there has been progress over the years but what I do object to most strongly it the belief that being PC will change things - it will not, that is just an illusion. Whether I call someone Disabled (PC) or Handicapped (not PC) makes not one iota of difference to the way I think about or treat that person. You will also get the drift that object vehemently to wasting public money whether on 'PCness', or any other crackpot scheme. For an shining example of what can be done from a positive point of view look at Liverpool. Ecumenism is an especially important development on Merseyside. In the 1960's sectarianism was rife in the city of Liverpool. Various areas were Catholic and others Protestant and there was discrimination in jobs. There are still Orange marches but this are now a day out in Southport rather than an aggressive display of territoriality. Having attended a Catholic school in the 1970's I know that it was taught it was a 'sin' to attend a non-Catholic church service. These were the sort of barriers that needed breaking down. Much of the credit for this social reform must go to the remarkable work done by Bishop David Shepherd and Archbishop Derek Warlock in promoting togetherness between the Churches. This is just an example of what can be done, sadly both these great men have now passed on, but it could never have been achieved by the PC brigade, in fact just the opposite.

David, another good thread, v interesting points of view from everyone and as ever CB talks loads of sense. I dont think political correctness will ever change the people who are bigotted by nature but i do think that making kids aware of and having respect for others who are different in whatever way has to be good for the future. then again they do come up with some barmy things that makes you think the world is going mad!

Point taken Pat. You are right, of course. Jean x.

Roxanne:) you're my favourite person to disagree with lol

Hi Jean I am an atheist, I have looked into many religions to make my own judgement of it all and I do not believe in any of them I just see the various Holy books as a collection of stories. What I meant is many Christians think Muslims & some also believe Jews are more Alien to their beliefs then they really are. Pat x

david, As I said before, There have been some positive things come out of this, but now its going O.T.T, we will just agree to disagree with this, but Its been a very interesting topic and ive enjoyed it, MORE PLEASE:-)))

Peter & Roxanne I don't think we'll agree:) I just think it's very sad that neither of you can find anything positive to say about the progress that society had made in terms of consideration for others in the last few decades and that yo have to keep focusing on the negative exceptions. Peter I was talking about your statement not the newspaper headline. Either way I think you'll find that Christmas will still occur in the district of Havant whatever the council call the Christmas lights:)

Pat, why should it be incredible that someone doesn't know about the Muslim beliefs? Although baptised as a Christian I have no religion and am not interested in any forms of it.

Poscript to 'Havant It was actually the Daily Express which had the story, not the Sun. Headline reads:- Yes, it's hard to believe, but now Santa AND Christmas lights have been banned.