Political Correctness.

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**Greebynog**

Further to a discussion started here: http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/30/235002.page and so as not to derail the thread, I'd like to open up Political Correctness as a topic of discussion. The constant accusations that PC in Britain has 'gone mad' drive me absolutely barmy, especially seeing as most people seem to have no idea what Political Correctness is, they seem to confuse it with basic health and safety legislation. For a far more eloquent (and hillarious) articulation of this point, I'd like to direct your attention to the wonderful Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle, which covered this very point this week.

As for the people in thread with the 'eff off back to your own country if you want to speak your foreign language' attitude, that's exactly the same sort of ignorant crap people were saying during the Windrush, same cloaked racism, different target.

**jackinthetank**

You sir, have made me happy my creating this thread.

I know about problems regarding Political Correctness however I find it a subject that is too iffy to discuss on a forum where some users may be offended.

Many thanks,
Jack.

**LuciusAR**

Totally agree. I guarantee almost every "It's PC gorn maaddd!!!" or "Health and Safety nazis" story you care to read about in the press consists of either:

Exaggerations
Comments or circumstances take totally out of context
Outright lies

or more likely a combination of all 3. The 'Winterville' myth which is trotted out year after by the right wing press was shown to be total bollocks years ago and yet is still writen about is a classic example of this.

Every year were are warned of the governments and liberal lefts 'war on Christmas'. Yet every year it passes by without incident, nobody gets nicked for buying a tree and the money made by the shops goes up and up. Basically people with agendas are lying to us.

Heres another classic example from a couple of years ago. Ive taken the text from a blog:

To blatantly steal another story from the Eye, it follows the emergence of the claims that the Healey Primary School in Rochdale had "banned Christmas cards" when they had in fact asked parents to send just one card to a whole class. A spokeswoman for the school added:

“The cost of so many cards is prohibitive for some families and we feel that children are often pressurised to act in the same way as their peers.”

Incredibly similar then to the story from last year about JobCentres in Tower Hamlets which had "banned" Christmas decorations when they had actually not put them up because they were concerned it might upset some of the families that weren't able to afford decorations themselves. A questionable decision perhaps, but not to avoid offending people of other faith as it was rapidly turned into. The Rochdale school hasn't banned the sending of cards, just gave a suggestion. The school is also putting on three Christmas productions and a carol service, so it's certainly nothing to do with political correctness either.

The Eye mentions how it was featured in the Express (which I can't find online) and in the Star which ignored all the facts with its front-page headline "Ban on Christmas cards in case they upset Muslims!", but the story was still working its way around Fleet Street up till yesterday, when the Daily Mail featured it alongside a quote from Nick Seaton, the chairman of "Campaign for a Real Education", whose pseudo-manifesto recommends that "Circle Time" (a more grown-up version of show and tell involving discussion, and completely harmless) shouldn't be allowed in schools and that drug and sex education, if provided at all, should aim at prevention, not harm reduction:

So the school makes a faily sensible decision given that:

Many of the pupils are from poor area and xmas cards are pricey.
Kids giving out 20-30 cards each is disruptive, causes lots of litter and is time consuming.
It's rapidly turns into a polarity contest with tears and tantrums when for whatever reason Timmy gets less cards than Tommy.

Yet as soon as the press get hold of it, it becomes:

"School bans Christmas cards" A total Exaggeration given that they done nothing of the sort.

and from one utter rag:

"Ban on Christmas cards in case they upset Muslims!" A complete and total lie. A lie told with the sole intention of stirring up racial tensions.

Show me a PC gone mad story and I'll show you a lying bastard with a twisted agenda.

**Frazzled**

You can't have Halloween parties in elementary school. The teachers, with implicit approval of the principals have "spider day" where they discuss spiders and other insects. Everyone brings a home made spider model. If kids accidentally dress in "alternative clothing options" and kids homeroom moms show up with surplus baked goods celebrating a previous brithday, well, there you go.

**Ahtman**

jackinthetank wrote:I know about problems regarding Political Correctness however I find it a subject that is too iffy to discuss on a forum where some users may be offended.

I find this characterization offensive.

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Political Correctness is a lie. It is a myth perpetuated by the Right Wing Gutter Press, as they are now no longer allowed to attack people based on Colour, Creed, Gender or Sexual Persuasion.

They cannot say [see forum posting rules], Spik, Wog, Wop, Kraut, Frog, Nip, Poof, Queer, Queen, Rag Head, Towel Head, Paki etc, so they claim some sort of lefty conspiracy to force everyone to have a Nergoplasty.

Lying bunch of witches.

*wow! All of those cuss words and only the N word was blocked. I guess Dakka has a handle on it!

**Frazzled**

I find your connotation of witches and lying offensive.

**PanamaG**

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
*wow! All of those cuss words and only the N word was blocked. I guess Dakka has a handle on it!

Hahaha exactly!!!

**Da Boss**

hah! I made an accidental clone because I missed your post. Sorry! Mine's more specifically about language though.

**Frazzled**

Strangely derivations of raccoon as well.

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Put it this way, I am 28, going on 29. I am 6'3", pretty solidly built, and can walk about town in my long Kilt (which admitedlly looks more SKirt than Kilt) flouncy shirt, clumpety Boots and long coat. The worst I've ever encountered? Being compared to Haggrid, which I quite liked.

And yet, if you ask my Gran, a life long Daily Mail reader, there is a Romany Rastafarian, Gay, Drug Dealing, Paedophile Pimp just waiting on every street corner to bum me to death. Hoodies swarm like Sharks around blood.

It's all made up. Every. Last. Bit. Of. It. I live in the real world. I live on a Council Estate. Feral Kids? Hardly. Just a couple of wee gaks out of control who know better than to pick on someone twice their weight. They may well carry knives, but so what? Knife Crime is no higher, per head of populace, than it was 20 years ago as far as I understand, and in most cases, Violent Crime is way down. OF course, this is all due to the Police not counting some, just as high School Results are down to tests being easier. It most certainly is NOT because the Police are doing their job, as are Teachers. This is broken Britain, don't you know? Where the Lefties have wrecked the family home, leading everyone to become a complete witch. Yeah, well, not as much of a witch as you, Mr Journalist.....

**Ahtman**

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:Put it this way, I am 28, going on 29. I am 6'3", pretty solidly bui, and can walk about town in my long Kilt (which admitedlly looks more SKirt than Kilt) flouncy shirt, clumpety Boots and long coat. The worst I've ever encountered? Being compared to Haggrid, which I quite liked.

And yet, if you ask my Gran, a life long Daily Mail reader, there is a Romany Rastafarian, Gay, Drug Dealing, Paedophile Pimp just waiting on every street corner to bum me to death. Hoodies swarm like Sharks around blood.

It's all made up. Every. Last. Bit. Of. It. I live in the real world. I live on a Council Estate. Feral Kids? Hardly. Just a couple of wee gaks out of control who know better than to pick on someone twice their weight. They may well carry knives, but so what? Knife Crime is no higher, per head of populace, than it was 20 years ago as far as I understand, and in most cases, Violent Crime is way down. OF course, this is all due to the Police not counting some, just as high School Results are down to tests being easier. It most certainly is NOT because the Police are doing their job, as are Teachers. This is broken Britain, don't you know? Where the Lefties have wrecked the family home, leading everyone to become a complete witch. Yeah, well, not as much of a witch as you, Mr Journalist.....

Silly honky.

Edit: HA! It got through!

**Orkeosaurus**

Do bogans and hoons live in Brittan, or is it just Australia?

I know you guys got "chavs"...

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

England has Chavs, Wales has Valley Boys (or so my ex infromed me) and Scotland has N.E.D.S. (Non-Educated Delinquents)

I think every country does. A largely self made underclass, leeching off the state. But that is a sore point with me right now.

**Da Boss**

Northern Ireland has Spides, the Republic has Skangers.

**JD21290**

As for the people in thread with the 'eff off back to your own country if you want to speak your foreign language' attitude, that's exactly the same sort of ignorant crap people were saying during the Windrush, same cloaked racism, different target

not 100% my attitude, but close.
if people plan on living in a certain country then they should atleast know how to read and speak english, not just to make it easier for everyone, but to avoid any risks.
how many warnings signs do you see about on the roads that are written in different languages?

a friend of mine works as a school caretaker, they have recently employed a polish caretaker there, he decided to clean the urinals with bleach, because that didnt work he then threw acid in them, casing a similar effect to mustard gas and causing the school to be evacuated, when he was asked why he did it (a translater was needed for this)
he simply said he could not understand the labels on the chemicles.
if that safe?

its all well and good for people to preach PC and try and enforce it, but it works both ways.
we must respect everyone, but they must also respect us, i can think of plenty of examples of PC gone mad, which is why im happy that im off to aus once ive finished up my 2 more years in the army.

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Examples of PC gone mad please?

As the OP said, it's either people getting Health and Safety confused, or outright lies and misinformation.

**JD21290**

Doc, ill leave the thread a little while before i start throwing in examples, last time i was in a thread like this i had some dick head throwing accusations at me, only to be shown up to be not only wrong, but badly wrong.

the way i tend to word things comes accross in not the best way, so ill take some time with this one to make sure no one can pick any faults with it.

**Pigeon616**

latest update on PC gone mad! As some may have heard you are not allowed to say "Brainstorming" as when a person with epilepsy has a an epileptic fit it feels like a storm in you brain and so they may find that offensive. instead the phrase "brainshower" should be used as it is less violent and shouldn't cause offense...

what the hell? i ask anyone who suffers from epilepsy, would you find offense in the phrase brainstorming? I personally think this is beginning to be a little bit silly.

EDIT: i apologize as i got it slightly wrong, it is incase it is offensive to people with braindisorders, here is proof http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2005/jun/26/uk.politicalnews

**Nofasse 'Eadhunta**

The Yellow and Black Power Rangers were politically incorrect.

OH MY GOD WHAT DO WE DO!!!!!

**JD21290**

the old nursery rhyme ba ba black sheep is also banned from schools.

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Pigeon616 wrote:latest update on PC gone mad! As some may have heard you are not allowed to say "Brainstorming" as when a person with epilepsy has a an epileptic fit it feels like a storm in you brain and so they may find that offensive. instead the phrase "brainshower" should be used as it is less violent and shouldn't cause offense...

what the hell? i ask anyone who suffers from epilepsy, would you find offense in the phrase brainstorming? I personally think this is beginning to be a little bit silly.

Load of crap. Supposed to have originate from my local Borough Council. I have three friends wo work in the Council Offices, all of whom say its utterly untrue.

Likely it's been someone sending an Email who had a brainfart and wrote shower instead of storm.

JD21290.....proof please? Linkage to a genuine report? Otherwise, without proof, it gets put in the big bin of 'Right Wing Rag Bollocks' IIRC, this is just a class example of the Daily Hate misreporting to further Middle England Persecution Complex. When asked, the teacher explained it hadn't been banned, but went on in different verses with different colours of sheep as a way of teaching colours to young children.

**JD21290**

Doc, here we go, and your just reinforcing my comment on another thread we are talking on.
if you do not agree with someone (like here) you either say they are 100% wrong (with no proof atall that they are) or you try to make it hard for them to prove.

your now asking me for proof or your just going to class it as bollock? i then call up this statement and ask for proof please:

Load of crap. Supposed to have originate from my local Borough Council. I have three friends wo work in the Council Offices, all of whom say its utterly untrue.

as for proof of the rhyme, have a chomp on this one mate

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/education/s/207/207086_black_sheep_banned_at_nursery.html

ba ba rainbow sheep aint quite the same is it?

**IRPurple**

OFF TOPIC:

i wonder how long this will take to get out of hand.....?
anyway, i have nothing to creativly add apart from saying yes its gone toooooooooo far...( PC if yah dont know what i mean)

**IRPurple**

Doubled poast feel free to delete

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

JD21290 wrote:Doc, here we go, and your just reinforcing my comment on another thread we are talking on.
if you do not agree with someone (like here) you either say they are 100% wrong (with no proof atall that they are) or you try to make it hard for them to prove.

your now asking me for proof or your just going to class it as bollock? i then call up this statement and ask for proof please:

Load of crap. Supposed to have originate from my local Borough Council. I have three friends wo work in the Council Offices, all of whom say its utterly untrue.

as for proof of the rhyme, have a chomp on this one mate

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/education/s/207/207086_black_sheep_banned_at_nursery.html

ba ba rainbow sheep aint quite the same is it?

Changing (well, adding actually) words for educational reasons does not a song banning make. To band the song is to not allow it to be sung at all. Adding verses is something UTTERLY different, and has precisely sod all to do with Political Correctness, I am sure you will agree.

As for the Brainstorm one, I first heard about this.....18 months ago, perhaps longer, relating to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (my Town. YAY!). The only report I can find online is this onw www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2005/jun/26/uk.politicalnews which relates to a different Council. However, note here, http://www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/section.asp?catid=1569&docid=5786 where my local council says it's all a load of monkeynuts. So, one council may or may not have banned it (Can't find anything overly official beyond 'sources' and 'spokesperson') but it seems utterly untrue in one case...

**JD21290**

erm, i do not agree atall, you seem way too sure of yourself there.

swapping out the colour black for rainbow is nothing like you have said there.
it is not another verse atall.
* i dont see how this was for an educational reason.

also, the rhyme ba ba black sheep is no longer allowed, so yes, it has been banned.

do you enjoy trying to disprove everything, even when there is solid evidence?

doc, thats in one case, it doesent really support what you said atall, you mentioned that you have 3 friends who have said its not true.

Edit: add on to earlier part of post*

**H.B.M.C.**

I think LuciusAR might be a clone of Grotsnik.

**JD21290**

HBMC, would you accept that PC is a load of bs as an answer?

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

"They sing happy, sad, bouncing, hopping, pink, blue, black & white sheep etc and they also exchange boy and girl at the end of the rhyme. This encourages the children to extend their vocabulary and use up some energy.
"

Look! They still sing the line. They have have categorically NOT banned the bloody song! They have used it to make it a better educational tool....

Wintermas.....http://bigfluffyclouds.blogspot.com/2006/12/merry-wintermas.html So thats one opinion, without proof (seriously, no council quoted. Just a bunch of accusations) Struggling to find the origins of the work, though I am highly tempted to point out to the poster of the Blog linked that Christmas is a hijacked Pagan festival and thus arguably bugger all to do with Christ. Plus it's had bugger all to do with religion for most people for.....a while now.

Though my Google-Fu could well be weak. I've used Wintermas, Christmas V Wintermas, Origins of Wintermas, and Origin of Wintermas. And just now Wintermas Origin. None of these answered the question of where it came from.