There is power in the spoke, but it is not all powerful. The spoken word is still a representation of a thought or feeling. I have word the word 'nigger' used (rarely) without malice ... where the speaker had no understanding of its hateful connotations. Likewise regarding race, I have heard respectful words spoken from people who I know harbor hate and malice. We have to remember that words are just words, and the meaning behind them is much more important. As one who does care about eliminating racial (and other) prejudice, I practice political correctness, if you will - that is I use care in the language I select, and the behaviors I exibit, when addressing these kinds of sensitive issues. When it comes to 'political correctness' I choose to lead by example.This leads me to another point, and it has been addressed eloquenty by both lamarca and Jack (Who is called Jack) above. We are sensitive and indignant toward the excesses of the people we consider 'right wing' - while we are intollereant of their point-of-view? We profess to be open minded and free thinkers, yet we have no problem ridiculing these people.
Why is it perfectly accepatble in these threads, to say that conseratives are hatelful, ignorant, selfish bastards who keep the rest of us down? Why is it OK to assume that everyone knows that a corparate VP is a power hungry, money grabbing snake and his corporation the cause for all the inequity in the world?? These are the prejudices I see perpetuated in this forum, and they continue relatively unchecked.
What if I were to say that 'Jews were power hungry, thought control freaks who want to tell us all how to behave?' I would be justifiably labeled hateful and Anti-Semetic - but if I replace the word 'Jews,' in this statement with the word 'Conservatives' I wouldn't raise an eyebrow.
What if I said 'African Americans hate people who are not their color, and will always do them harm at every available opportunity?' I would correctly be called a racist, but if you substitute the words 'Right Wingers' for 'African Americans' the statement would probably go unchallenged.
What if I were to say that 'Planned Parenthood is an oraganization dedicated to imposition of an unacceptable morality?' I would be called a sexist pig and, at best; a minder of other people's business - but substitute 'Christain Right' for 'Planned Parenthood' and my comments would probably be accepted.
I am not a right winger, I am not a racist or an anti-semite, I am not a pro-lifer ... I simply point out the prejudices we exibit ourselves, here in this setting, from time to time. If we are to be polically correct (as redefined in positive light within this thread) we need to remember that means tollerance of opposing persepectives, and the individuals who hold them.
I don't smoke, and don't particularly care for smoke, but I will fight for your right to smoke in reasonable conditions. I don't particpate in what many call pornography, but I support your right to do so. I don't like the neo-nazi and militant organizations, but I support their right to operate as they see fit within the constitution. The people who participate in these activities will be treated by me as their individual behavior warrants; not as I may feel about their philosophy.