[Artemisia] political correctness

[Stephanae Baker]

While I have no difficulty calling a boffer sword a boffer (at least  
until we agree upon a better name for it), I'll gladly take on the  
other argument. In what way do you consider frowning upon the use of  
racist, sexist, heterosexist, or ageist language in polite  
conversation a contributor to a downward spiral (and what downward  
spiral do you mean) in society?

I personally don't miss having to smile politely at someone calling  
me a girl in my professional life, although I do still occasionally  
put up with it from insensitive buffoons in social encounters until I  
can politely (and quickly) excuse myself from the conversation.

I also find I don't miss words like nigger very much.

I know some people miss words like mankind, but I'm clever with words  
and quite happy to do without that one, especially when it has so  
many gender-neutral synonyms. Personally, I'm sort of fond of the  
word people.

I don't miss the third person masculine pronoun supposedly being  
inclusive of all people when it actually makes me feel quite excluded  
and like an afterthought, at best, as a person. It is perhaps  
inclusive of all mankind. *wink*

Our ways of speaking reflect our ways of thinking which make us who  
we are. When we embrace being considerate of others' differences and  
reflect it by being careful in our speech, it helps us remember and  
change our thinking. It helps us treat one another better and show  
respect. What could be better for a polite society? Considerations  
about what speech is appropriate or inappropriate has always been one  
of the main components of etiquette, and if our society has spiraled  
downward in some areas, I would argue that not being careful enough  
about our speech is one of them, rather than the other way around.

There you go. I'm a foolish mortal. Fire away. However, if I stop  
answering, be aware that while I am not particularly judgmental in  
most matters, in this one, I may rapidly conclude that speaking with  
you is not worth my time.

Belladonna


On Jun 19, 2007, at 1:57 PM, rayzentz at aim.com wrote:

> While he can use the position title of "Kingdom Youth Combat  
> Marshal", and I shall happily refer to him as such, in my neck of  
> the woods, they are, and always will be, "boffers", or "boffer  
> swords".   Those are perfectly acceptable words.   Political  
> correctness be hanged!
>
> Padruig, on his soapbox, awaiting foolish mortals who want to argue  
> about the evils of political correctness, and the downward spiral  
> in mundane society due to it.   Bring it on, Baby!
>
>