What's the fuss?
Common Sense VS Political Correctness.

The reason why people feel so threatened by Political Correctness, is that it forces then to investigate prejudice which lies at the heart of common sense. Left to its own devices, common sense would encourage people to use offensive terms such as 'Paki', or 'Nigger' in the play-ground. These terms are utterly offensive and seek through humour, dehumanise / dislocate people. If it were not for Political Correctness, we'd still be watching 'Mind Your Language' or 'Different Strokes' or other pathetic racist sit-coms on TV.

Common sense is just a jumble of ideas, thoughts and beliefs which remain unchallenged while people are free to be ignorant of other peoples' culture, language, history, heritage etc. Yes we do need to learn about other people who live in our neighbourhood, that is if we still want a neighbourhood?

'Decency' is to be in a room where people do not offend through crude and ignorant language. However I do accept that just using language which is 'neutral' does not eliminate alterity. One can still be racist without using racist language.

The current Tory party offensive on Political Correctness, is a sly and very disturbing way or gaining votes from British people who now after years of being made to feel guilty about ignorance and prejudice are striking back, feeling that they have been 'marginalised' in their own communities. Howard is playing a subtle 'race' card, albeit masked by a sense of 'decency' and 'common sense'. It stinks to high heaven and I hope that we are sophisticated enough to see his project for what it is!