I'm tired of being part of this "Politically Correct" world.
We aren't allowed to say "retard"; it's become "mentally handicapped" or a person with "special learning needs".
We can't say someone is faster or stronger than anyone else, as in younger children's sports, where more and more often you see participation ribbons being handed out, rather than first, second, or third place trophies.
What is the world coming to?
What kind of world do we live in now, that we can only voice our thoughts and feelings if we excuse ourselves before we even make ourselves heard?
Why do we have to say "Oh, I'm just saying ..." or "This is only my opinion, but ..." or "I don't mean to sound rude, but ..." ?
I think I'm a pretty easy-going person, and I'm up for pretty much anything. I'm not too particular on what I do when I hang out with people, where we go, or what we eat, or whatever. I do things sometimes that I don't want to, but I do them because they need to be done, for whatever reason. I keep my opinion to myself most of the time, because most of the time, I either don't have an opinion, or honestly believe that my opinion would not make any difference, and therefor has no point in being shared. I cannot stand any kind of argument, and I hate confrontation, especially if it's unnecissary or pointless.
BUT - when I do have an opinion on something, I'm not going to be one of those wishy-washy "This is just my opinion, and I'll throw it out there, but I won't defend it if someone else wants to throw it around and beat it up." kind of people. No.
If I'm going to go out on a limb and say what I think, I'm going to say what I think, and I'm going to defend that thought until there's no one left to defend it against. I'm not saying I'm a hard-headed person, who isn't open to new and different point of views. I'm okay with changing my opinion, if the person I'm discussing/debating/arguing with has insightful and credeble information that makes their opinion more appealing than mine. That's fine with me.
What I don't like is all the people my age who think something simply because "That's just the way things are/have always been." or because "SoandSo said it, so it must be true." or especially because "My parents always believed that, so I guess I do, too (I was raised that way and I don't know how to think for myself/outside the box)." Those are not acceptable reasons for forming opinions. Not at all.
The whole basis of having an opinion is knowing what you think so that you might share what you think with someone else if you have the desire.
How can you give your opinion if you don't THINK?
Why do we have to say "Oh, I'm just saying ..." or "This is only my opinion, but ..." or "I don't mean to sound rude, but ..."
Oh my God, I HATE when people say all of those! Especially the last 2...
"This is only my opinion..."
Yeah, no shit. Everyone knows it's your opinion. That's why you're stating it. Why state the obvious? It just makes your argument sound invalid (is "invalid" pc?). If you're presenting your argument with an apology, rather than conviction, I'm not too inclined to listen to it.
"No offense/I don't mean to sound rude but..."
This is one of the most passive aggressive openings. All it's saying is, "Hi. I know I am about to offend you but I'm too insecure in myself to take any kind of criticism so I'm going to apologize ahead of time for my beliefs and maybe you won't notice that I am probably offending you, or if you do you just won't say anything." Yeah, no offense but STFU.
Good blog. That's just my opinion though. ;-)
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
Sometimes I find myself starting the occasional retort with a "This is just my opinion..." but that doesn't mean I'm one of those "wishy-washy" types. Beginning a statement or argument with that qualifier is more or less my way of saying "Here's what I think, and you can take it or leave it," not "I cannot defend my opinion because I don't believe in it."
I have many opinions. I'm an opinionated person. I believe that if anybody has an opinion that is different or unusual they should share it with anybody and everybody who will listen. It may be one of those opinions that changes the world, that puts its mark in the history books, but not only in the history books. A good well-based opinion could become the subject of talk shows or newscasts or even other blogs. I believe taht if anybody should have an opinion that directly goes against one of my opinions (and there are many) I want them to stand up for what they believe in and defend it. Make a good case to me for your opinion and I might change my opinion.
I am a lot like you as well. If I truly believe in something, I will argue my point into the ground. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that! Screw all those who say you have to keep your opinions to yourself to avoid clashing with someone else!
I know exactly what you mean. I have a problem with people who just go along with everyone else. They don't ever take the time out to learn how they actually feel about something. It's like they think it's easier to just go along with it. The sad thing is these people are the same people who get angry at me when I state my beliefs (things I've spent a long time thinking about and am certain that my beliefs and opinions are true for me).
--
'But I don't want to go among mad people,' Alice remarked. 'Oh, you can't help that,' said the Cat: 'We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.'
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Very good points you discussed in this blog. Too many people rely on what everyone else believes or what their parents believe (sorta like those who are registering to vote and automatically think they must be Rep or Democrat because their parents are). And if someone's discussing their opinion, it is usually obvious. I find myself falling back on the "in my opinion" tagline, but I'd rather not have to. These are blogs, and if I'm not citing sources or a particular speaker, it's already my opinion.
~ *~
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I completely agree! We are becoming a group of people with no discernable convictions which is ridiculous! I don't think you should kill or cause harm for you convictions but you should stand for something. We all need to have opinions and believe in things. Good, healthy, honest debate is what pushes the world forward and provides change. If everyone works in the comfortable confines of "what is PC" we will never progress to anything more than we are today...we will be well on our way to devoloving!
Your blog started with a really offensive reference to feeling entitled to call someone or something "retarded" and then proceeded into an in-depth look at when it is appropriate to qualify an opinion.
I find it interesting that while you defend everybody's right to offer her or his opinion without needing to qualify it with "In my opinion" or "not to be rude" - you prefaced your defense with a full paragraph about how easy-going you are, etc. This was essentially qualifying the opinions of your post. I believe it is something we all do naturally as a way to get along with our peers. It may even fall into the category of things we do that you defined as "for no reason." So, while I agree that the qualifications are unnecessary and at times annoying, I would hesitate to automatically disregard an opinion as less than solid merely because the person offering it follows the social norms of the day.
Also, I just wanted to promote the PC culture as a part of the social norms that are progressive. What value is there is calling something or someone "retarded"? What joy do you gain from using a term derogatively to make someone laugh? Is it worth the incidental pain you cause to the family, friends or supporters of those who are disabled? Why is it more difficult to chose a word that accurately describes something but lacks the offensive zing that makes people (usually uncomfortably) laugh? I don't understand why that is a burden.
I have been holding off on commenting on this blog because i wasn't sure how to phrase my objection to it, but you just captured everything I wanted to say...so I second.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Thanks MSmithWisconsin, took the words right out of my mouth.
I just want to add that there's a reason we don't call things "retarded" or "gay" and we don't use enthic slurs or even use swear words when writing academic papers. It's because it's the mature and progressive thing to do.
Probably something I should have addressed in my earlier comment...
Name calling is a whole 'nother ballfield. It's disrespectful to other people, it's not like conditioning how you refer to someone will take away your rights.
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My English teacher had a similar problem with such behavior. Thankfully, he managed to help all of his students break the habit of throwing out a disclaimer before they expressed their honest opinion. I'm greatly indebted to him; now I can say what I mean and mean what I say on virtually any topic and not feel sorry or care if someone disagrees with my viewpoint. Besides, isn't life all about conflict anyway?
There is a reason that people who are mentally retarded are offended by your ignorant coments that label them by thier disability rather than who they are as a person.
As a special education major, I find it extremely offensive to listen to your distaste for what one group of people views as politically incorrect, before discussing your right to have an opinion. These are two completely seperate issues. You are most definitely entitled to your own opinion, but realize when you say thing like you are tired of being "politically correct" you will face consequences for your opinion. Most people won't want to listen to you or take you seriously.
amen. And then theres the people that don't even stand up for what they believe in. That's absolutely no way to live!
Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.
I must be a complete asshole then....
I'm a firm believer in my first amendment rights. I also believe that if someone gets offended in what I have to say, when expressing my own point of view, then they aren't meant to be involved in any friendly relationship with me.
I also, TRULY, dont care what anyone thinks of me. The only people I have to answer to are God, myself, and whomever Im involved with at the time. If I hurt someones feelings than good for them. Perhaps they'll grow a tougher skin.
All things being equal..... means just that. Express you're opinion, and dont sugarcoat it. If you do than you're just doing yourself a disservice. Essentially, you're lying to them. Honesty is everything. E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.
People tend to be resilient. Eventually they'll get over it. If they don't than its the one time I hope Darwin's Law becomes effective. Let them cease to breed.
This blog is fantastic in it's precepts, Im just not sure whether or not you're over your own insecurities. Yes, you make many fine points, the majority of which I agree with. However, if you truly believe in what you write, than all these comments, votes, etc. should mean absolutely nothing to you. I hope they dont.
Don't get me wrong I love when someone expresses pleasure in my writings, I equally love when they express displeasure. It only shows me, jaded old man as I am, that people still THINK. Give me your hurrahs, but also give me your boo's, I will take them all in stride and try to advance my own wordsmithing skills.
I would also like to add, that though Im all for free speech, it doesnt mean that I think it's OK for me personally to use deragotory terms for race, credo, sexual preference, etc.
I'm never happy hearing rascist rants, homophobic terminology, because I HOPE that I, as a human being, am better than that. I however, will never jump all over someones ass, because they have a desire to express an opinion. I will never, EVER, refer to someone mentally disabled as retarded, regardless of whether that was an accurate term back in the 1920's. We as a society have grown beyond that, I think.
My previous post was on expressing your opinion, and not caring what people say. Because it's important to be able to truly say what you mean. I do NOT condone the usage of vulgarity to inspire, or empathize with unwarranted hate. I also do not condone the shallow evils of such words as (forgive me for even typing them), spic, nigger, fag, and "retard". All of which are only used by the most bigoted stupid pseudo people. Any usage of those words, in my opinion, should earn the offender all the worst that karma can provide, and hopefully a few bruises as well.
If, God forbid, someone says something that demeans an entire culture in my presence in RL, than my retribution (be it verbal or physical) will be swift and unwavering.
Stupity and upbringing are never an excuse to demean someone. However, fearing reprisal because you have an opinion and voice it, is not any way to live. I will call someone an asshole, because of what they say, but I will NOT use any terminology that inspires revilement, because I believe, and pray, that I am a better human being than some prick in a bedsheet with a torch.
I would have voted higher for you, but the simple fact that you're angry because you can't say retard got you a one.