"When words lose their meaning, people will soon lose their liberties." (Confucius, ca 600 BC)
What better way to destroy rights than to make the case that you are harming another's rights? Of course, it is true that one should not exercise a right to harm another's rights *if* that latter right is a genuine right - often it is not.
For example, one method is for the powers that be to endow special "rights" upon certain groups (disabled, homosexual, etc.) and reinforce it through the constant use of PC. This is plainly ridiculous - people have the same rights regardless of their situation, state or condition (self-imposed or otherwise). Rights do not change. They are inherent and inalienable.
I believe in discrimination. To discriminate means 'to perceive differences, distinguish (between)'. Discrimination is defined as 'capacity for discriminating; ability to perceive subtle differences; perception.' Although not in this dictionary, 'discernment' might be another word I could add.
Without discrimination our society will fail.
If you can, I would urge all to get hold of a 4-page essay entitled "Discrimination and Equality: An Essay on the Misuse of Words" by Geoffrey Dobbs (1968, UK). - interestingly I cannot find this short essay online, either in whole or even as a reference! (well, there's one reference but that was the last time I mentioned it on the Net. lol.)
Here is a quotation from it:
Quote:
|
"The debasement of our language, and especially of all those words with which we refer to that which is good and true in life, is one of the chief methods used in the corruption of our thoughts and of our society...'Stupid and ignorant prejudice about race' and 'lack of racial discrimination' are simply two phrases describing the same thing, so that to brainwash people, and especially the young, with the idea that 'racial discrimination' is a monstrous and wicked thing, is the most effective way possible to ensure a growing ignorance of each other, and hence lack of understanding between the races, leading to active hostility and ultimately that violence and anarchy which are the essential prerequisites for the establishment of the Police State."
|
And here is another essay (this time from an American) about PC and its nature and origins I would commend to all:
The Origins of Political Correctness
It breaks my heart to see the youth in my own Church repeating the brainwashed phrases they've learn at school and from government, media, etc.