Political correctness, a concept originally meant to protect minorities and the under represented and thus strengthen the country, has in today?s America become no more than a necessary evil and catalyst for the cult of ethnicity. In theory political correctness sounds like a very reasonable idea and when looked at very shallowly this remains the case. When it is more thoroughly looked at thought it dangers become more and more apparent. By creating a set of ?correct? terminology and assigning each ethnic background a name that separates them from the main culture of America we run the risk of further exaggerating the potentially volatile situation created by the cult of ethnicity in the country today. So a balance between extreme political correctness that drives groups apart and a complete lack of social regulation as to what is acceptable, that causes groups of people to be oppressed, must be reached. Note not all aspects of political correctness are as potentially corrosive as those that pertain to race and ethnicity; some, such as those which are used for gender related issues and handicaps to name a few, are helpful while other terms, which there are to many to list, are downright comical.
Words can and have been used to harm and oppress people and races in this country and abroad. America has long been a melting pot for various ethnicities and taking the good with the bad has also experienced many different waves of racism. Before this century, and more accurately before the civil rights movement, many ethnicities, and African-Americans in particular, were held down by highly negatively loaded language. From the time of slavery African-Americans where held down by various words that today hold such engrained meanings and are so hate charged that mentioning them even for analytical purposes in this essay would be risky. Later on new groups got exposed to these types of words as Irish, Italian and whatever the newest immigrant group of the period was, got negatively charged ethic slurs ?assigned? to them. In it initial intent, to eliminate harmful and hurtful words from common use the move towards political correctness was highly successful. In other ways it may have set back ethnic relations more than anyone could have expected.
As necessary as it is in many ways, political correctness does have one major drawback, that being that it furthers the current cult of ethnicity that exists in America today. The terms that are now supposedly politically correct today are in many ways very segregating in nature. Each given group is referred to by a given name but these names are troublesome because they place the group in front of the whole. People now are quick to refer to themselves and others by the politically correct name that is formatted with the ethnic background first, an example being Irish-American. Just in structure these names are a problem as they place the ethnicity before the nation. The main problem with these politically correct names for various ethnic groups lies in the gravity that many groups place in being referred to by their proper name. Now as in the example of African-Americans this may very well be justified but nevertheless promotes the cult of ethnicity and with it all the potential negative repercussions. In order for people to be concerned with the name their group is referred to they must first be highly aware that they belong to a separate ethnic group. With the extent to which political correctness encompasses ethnic relations in American today this posses an obvious problem as when we think of it that way then political correctness and peoples attitudes towards it can be used as a gauge of the cult of ethnicity.
The subjects of the cult of ethnicity and political correctness are in many ways intertwined in a delicate manner. Ideally there would be no need for social and political standards of speak as all people would be treated the same but as we all know the world is far from perfect and when left free of regulation the powerful will abuse the minorities or outnumbered peoples. African American is one term that has been formed in this movement that I feel we must keep as the pain which this ethnicity has been put through by hateful language is immeasurable. Other classifications of ethnicities have to go. There is no need to constantly refer to natively born and raised, Caucasians facing no threat of discrimination by a special name. All this practice does is make the cult of ethnicity not only acceptable but in fact the expected norm of society.
Другие работы по теме:
The Oddessy 2 Essay Research Paper A
The Oddessy 2 Essay, Research Paper A person who remains anonymous once said, The best way out of a Problem, is through it. Evidence of this statement is seen in several episodes of the epic poem, The Odyssey by, Homer. Odysseus is able to
Drugs In Society Essay Research Paper The
Drugs In Society Essay, Research Paper The most significant problem facing young people in the inner city today is one problem but many problems put together. The use of drugs and the crime that occurs all intertwine and form one big problem. Also the lack of education doesn t help the young people either.
Politically Incorrect Essay Research Paper Report Politically
Politically Incorrect Essay, Research Paper Report: Politically correct is such an innocent term. How can anyone be against something so friendly, something that is supposed to encourage harmony and peace between all people? My answer is Ha! Although I do agree that kindness, respect, and courtesy in our everyday life are to be promoted, it seems to me that they lose much of their meaning if they are oppressively forced upon us by political correctness.
Utopian Society Essay Research Paper Animal Farm
Utopian Society Essay, Research Paper Animal Farm, like Brave New World, shows the idea of a Utopia . The animals yearned for their perfect farm where they could run themselves and their work would be rewarded rather than be given more work. It was their idea of a flawless society, where everyone was happy and cooperated.
Political Correctness In The Classroom Essay Research
Paper Schools in Canada have recently become the battleground for the fight over how much political correctness should be allowed to infiltrate grade school classrooms. One can take two sides when dealing with such issues as violent toys, ?good clean fun?, the benefits and disadvantages of political correctness.
LOTF Essay Research Paper Introduction
LOTF Essay, Research Paper Introduction The first main problem the boys have in the novel Lord of the Flies is that they are unprepared for survival on an uninhabited
Feminine Mystique Essay Research Paper The Feminine
Feminine Mystique Essay, Research Paper The Feminine Mystique The first couple of chapters of The Feminine Mystique basically points out that there was a major problem that was plaguing America’s female population during the 1950’s. The main idea behind this problem was that women were raised to basically become housewives.
Politically Correct Essay Research Paper Congress shall
Politically Correct Essay, Research Paper Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; of abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The Klan Essay Research Paper The
The Klan Essay, Research Paper * The Klan name and symbol break through the paper curtain of the anti-White media and brings us to the attention of those who want to
Racism Today Essay Research Paper Emily BuckRacism
Racism Today Essay, Research Paper Emily Buck Racism Today There is an underlying problem that is promoting racism. It is the fact that a lot of people believe, and try to make themselves believe, that racism no longer exists. Many people today live their lives oblivious to what is happening in the world around them, often trying to convince themselves that racism is not a problem in their world.
Living In Sin Essay Research Paper This
Living In Sin Essay, Research Paper This poem?s speaker is a woman who is disillusioned with, and may feel guilty about the relationship she is in. The studio apartment in which she lives,
Adhd Essay Research Paper ADHDUnderstanding the ProblemUnderstanding
Adhd Essay, Research Paper ADHD Understanding the Problem Understanding the Problem | Getting Help | Sustaining Hope This three-part article provides an excellent overview of the current state of knowledge regarding a disorder that is often called the most “over-diagnosed” mental problem–attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.
Social Security Essay Research Paper Social securityThe
Social Security Essay, Research Paper Social security The issue I am addressing today is what to do about social security. There is going to be a large problem with our social security in years to come. Both Al Gore and Bush
Mrs Dallaway Essay Research Paper Septimus Smith
Mrs. Dallaway Essay, Research Paper Septimus Smith could be considered as Clarissa s double and or her opposite. He plays a psychotic form of Clarissa the perfect hostess. Septimus problem resembles Clarissa s problems. She is basically an inimical person and he cannot connect to people emotionally either.
Surprising Momen Essay Research Paper Surprising Moment
Surprising Momen Essay, Research Paper Surprising Moment My most surprising moment was on my sixteenth birthday. As an everyday routin, after work I would come home, eat my dinner, shower, and shave. The problem started when I was shaving. My little nephew came from behind and frightened me. Digging the blade into my face and sending chills down my spine.
Farenheit 451 Essay Research Paper David Finch
Farenheit 451 Essay, Research Paper David Finch August 30, 1996 Civics Essay Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 forces us to envision a world that is so structured and censored fireman exist not to fight fires ,for all buildings are fireproof, but instead to burn books.
Wife Of Bath Essay Research Paper Wife
Wife Of Bath Essay, Research Paper Wife Of Bath Feminism, or a doctrine advocating social, politcal, and economic rights for women equal to those of men, plays a large role in “The Wife of Bath’s
Politcal Science Essay Research Paper Irving Kristol
Politcal Science Essay, Research Paper Irving Kristol claims that the American political system is productive because it incorporates many different facets of government, such as: democracy, republicanism, federalism, capitalism, and religion. He also argues that America possesses a well-balanced medium between strength, character, and resilience.
Suicide Essay Research Paper Social Problem Teen
Suicide Essay, Research Paper -Social Problem: Teen Suicide -Social Problem- Any problem that may cause pain and may affect a person?s life. ? Teen Suicide- Intentional and self-inflicted death.
Managing Classroom Behavior Essay Research Paper MANAGING
Managing Classroom Behavior Essay, Research Paper MANAGING CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR REPORT #1 Managing classroom behavior can be a difficult task, especially if you have a child who is always causing disturbances. Once you have identified that there is a problem, you should ask yourself six simple questions.
Guns Problem Essay Research Paper These activists
Guns Problem Essay, Research Paper These activists are also taking the guns out of the wrong peoples hands. They work to pass laws that would take the guns from the law-abiding citizens. When we give people the right to defend themselves, criminals start looking for victims who are unable to do so. For this reason we must work to reduce crime in America and look at the problem realistically. develop plans that would address the real problem of crime.
The Catcher In The Rye Holden Is
A Phony Essay, Research Paper The Catcher in the Rye: Holden Is A Phony Holden is just as phony and hollow as the people whom he criticizes. Holden’s main problem is that he practically does not even view himself as
Recycling Essay Research Paper Why The Kids
Recycling Essay, Research Paper Why The Kids Won’t Recycle There are a few reasons why kids don’t think too highly of recycling. The first reason, haunting most of us, is the fact that we are lazy. Most kids will just throw their garbage away in the nearest garbage, no matter what it happens to be for. Another problem is that the paper recycling bins have the largest opening.
ProblemSolution Essay Essay Research Paper Have you
Problem-Solution Essay Essay, Research Paper Have you ever received a problem-solution essay where you cannot think of anything to write? Although many of the forty million students in America go through this at one time or another, don?t despair! There are several systematic ways to find a writing topic.
Child Abuse Essay Research Paper Child AbuseIn
Child Abuse Essay, Research Paper Child Abuse In this country the problem of child abuse is very serious. Child abuse can happen to almost any child. The abuser and the child may seem