Thursday, August 26, 2004
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?
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!
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!
Friday, August 06, 2004
Older and wiser
Simple truth? Its strange how the young and the elderly seem to have a precious wisdom. When you are young, the world exists in black And white owing to your ignorance. When you are old, its again black and white but now because of experience... I was watching some TV program's last night, with interviews of older, talented people, including John Peel, Tony Benn and Mary Quant. They were asked about various issues, such as Sex, Children, Parents etc. Tony Benn, responded to the question, 'What is the role of Older people in society?' with 'To encourage the young'. That it would appear is good advice.
"War's stupid," he said. "Nobody wins. You might as well talk first, youHenry Allingham, 108 the last survivor of the battle of Jutland.
have to talk last anyway."
Simple truth? Its strange how the young and the elderly seem to have a precious wisdom. When you are young, the world exists in black And white owing to your ignorance. When you are old, its again black and white but now because of experience... I was watching some TV program's last night, with interviews of older, talented people, including John Peel, Tony Benn and Mary Quant. They were asked about various issues, such as Sex, Children, Parents etc. Tony Benn, responded to the question, 'What is the role of Older people in society?' with 'To encourage the young'. That it would appear is good advice.
