Walking on Eggshells

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There is another blogger, who I want to be like when I grow up — HarsH ReaLiTy. About a week or so ago, he made a post called, PC-ME and I got to thinking about this Political Correctness shennanigans again and a conversation I had a little bit ago with a coworker and my best male friend.

The question I posed is, “Have we gone too far with being Politically Correct?”

And they answered with a resounding, Yes. I completely agree. Society has taken Polictical Correctness to a level, I and many others believe, it wasn’t meant to go. People are just to damn sensitive nowadays. Once upon a time you could say what was on your mind without someone breaking down in tears or going to go tell their mommy and daddy or losing their jobs.

Now don’t get me wrong I don’t think anyone should say anything that is deliberately malicious, but no one should have to walk on eggshells or tiptoe through the daisies or beat around the proverbial bush in order not to offend. Being offended is a part of life. It helps to thicken your skin. In my opinion some offenses help you become a better person.

So, I did a little bit of digging, as is my way when curiosity gets the better of me. Where did the term Politically Correct/Political Correctness (P.C.) come from?

Political Correctness is a Marxist ideology. It began in a think tank in Germany in 1923 with the hopes of spreading Communism to Western Civilization (i.e. the United States). The thought is the individual is nothing and that an individual cannot have valid ideas. It’s also thought that in order to bring Communism to the Western World, it must destroy itself by chipping away at the rights of the annoying individuals that dare to have an individual idea.

Offended yet?

So, how in the world were these folks going to spread communism and make sure we implode on ourselves.

Change their speech and thought patterns by spreading the idea that vocalising your beliefs is disrespectful to others and must be avoided to make up for past inequities and injustices. Then use this to stifle any discussion which might show the lack of common sense in their ideology. And call it something that sounds positive: “Political Correctness.”

I don’t believe that Political Correctness was created to spread communism to the Western World, but I do believe we have completely embraced the Totalitarian idea of Marxism.

Now are you offended?

If you are, then good.

If not, you should be. Why? Because your rights to be an individual thinker and being able to speak your mind is being eroded and not slowly either.

28 thoughts on “Walking on Eggshells”

  2. Wow! Are you ever in my good books for this post, young lady! (At least, you look young to this 48 year old male ex-navigator.)
    “Walking on eggshells” is a term typically used by someone in a relationship with a person who has a borderline or narcissistic personality disorder. Have you ever heard of a book by Christopher Lasch entitled “The Culture of Narcissism?”
    I’m working on the 2nd in a two-book set that deals with the topics of gender narcissism and its social implications. One of the tenets of this thesis is that all the bad social “isms” (e.g., Communism, National Socialism, ideological feminism) are, in fact, narcissistic social phenomena. This is especially true today (as per Lasch).
    PC is a narcissistic defence mechanism operating at the social level to suppress non-conformist ideas that would lead to a narcissistic injury. Narcissists have a pathological need for something about him/her/themselves to be “true,” and they also have a pathological need for others to believe this (or act as if they believe this), too. Hence, PC at the social level.
    My new (and first) book has been getting great test reader reviews. It’s written for the everyday reader: http://navigator1965.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/how-to-write-the-book-that-malcolm-gladwell-wished-he-had-written/
    You’re welcome to a complimentary .pdf e-copy, if interested. No worries if you’re not. themirrorbooks@gmail.com. The book is highly controversial, and women readers especially seem to love it.
    I’ll be using this fact in my second book. Thank you.

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  3. “I do believe we have completely embraced the Totalitarian idea of Marxism.” Seriously? You think our society has embraced totalitarianism? Not even close. I do agree with you that we have gone a little overboard with respect to political correctness and that people need to grow thicker skins. But there are just certain things that people don’t need to say, certain words that people find offensive that are just unnecessary, such as “the N-word.” You can express yourself without resorting to language or terminology that will be hurtful to others. It’s your choice of words.

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    • As it relates to being Politically Correct, I do believe that.

      As far as the N-word or Nigger is concerned, I don’t find that offensive. As the true definition of the word means: “Any stupid or ignorant person.” And since I’m neither it doesn’t offend me. Granted it is derragatory, but knowing the origination of something gives you much more power and an advantage.

      I definitely believe that one should be able to say whatever it is that he/she wants to say. It’s important to open up a dialogue and we can’t do that if things are becoming increasingly off limits. You’re right in that one should chose their words as to not to purposefully offend.

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      • Well, I think you need to reconsider the word “Totalitarian” before you say that, due to political correctness, this country has embraced it. Totalitarian means “a centralized government that does not tolerate parties of differing opinion and that exercises dictatorial control over many aspects of life.” Have you been following politics lately? Have you watched late night TV? Listened to talk radio? Watched the various cable news networks? I guess not, if you thing we have embraced totalitarianism. I call it common sense and decency.

        As to the N-word, you may be quoting what it originally meant, but language evolves, and I don’t believe most people define it the way you do. Besides, are you saying that you would not be offended if someone said you were stupid or ignorant?

        As they say, words are mightier than the sword and cut just as deeply and be just as painful. So why use language that others will find offensive when there are so many other, non-offensive, non-hurtful ways of expressing yourself?

        As I previously said, some may have taken this whole political correctness thing to extremes. I even blogged about this three years ago with respect to stand-up comedy, http://mindfuldigressions.com/2011/07/05/politically-correct-stand-up-comedy/. But stand-up comedy at comedy clubs is one thing. Language usage in everyday life is something else entirely.

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      • Doobster, we will probably not see eye to eye completely and that’s okay. What I will say is that although Political Correctness is not Totalitarian in the sense of government it is proving to be so socially. People are indeed trying and succeeding at dictating what we say and how we say as to not to offend anyone. People are also trying and succeeding at dictating our opinions as well. For example, if I say “in my opinion homosexuality is wrong,” all of a sudden I’m a homophobe or I’m against gay rights. And there are people out there that will try to push one to believe what they want you to believe. And believe it or not I knew what Totalitarianism was when I wrote the post, but thanks for the definition.

        I do not watch late night TV, as I don’t find any value in it. Nor is it entertaining. I do follow politics as much as I hate it and quite frankly I’m rather offended by what’s going with our government. I do listen to NPR from time to time as well as take a gander at cable news. So, just FYI in future you might want to leave it at the questions before coming to an unfounded conclusion about what someone does or does not do.

        I’m quite aware that the meaning of words change over time. As one with a degree in Engish Literature, I had to study Etymology extensively and for electives I took Linguistics courses. Quite amazing stuff. Words are quite powerful and can have the potential to have devasting effects on peoples psyche, but the bottom line is if you know the origin and it’s evolution and/or devolution than the word has less power over you and you’re much more able and capable of handling what people say to you. Not saying that it won’t be offensive or hurtful, but at least you’ve armed yourself with that knowledge. Having said that I could really and truly care less if someone calls me stupid and or ignorant because I know I’m not. Perhaps I should be offended by it, but I’m not.

        I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this point because I don’t think someone should be offensive to get a laugh out of a group of people at the expense of someone else. In my opinion malicious language is malicious language no matter if it’s the comedian on stage or you or me. I do not under any circumstances believe that people should have to censor themselves in order to cater to people that aren’t able to handle it. If you are a child or someone with a mental deficit than that’s different. Say whatever it is that you need and/or want to say, but you don’t have to be malicious about it. The problem is we beat around the bush and try and soften everything and never really get to heart of what we want to say.

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      • You’re right. We are unlikely to see eye-to-eye on this issue, at least not entirely eye-to-eye. I don’t believe that people are telling us what to say, how to say it, or are “dictating our opinions.” I hear a wide diversity of opinions being expressed all over the place and around the clock. So who is doing this dictating? But on the other hand, there are ways to effectively expressing one’s opinion without being hurtful or mean to a whole group of people.

        For example, you said you think homosexuality is wrong. That’s your opinion and there’s nothing and no one preventing you from expressing it. But what if, instead of saying that, in your opinion, homosexuality is wrong, you said, “I think those damn faggots are sick and they should all go to hell”? Do you see where that might be different? If people call you homophobic because you express your opinion that you think homosexuality is wrong, that’s their problem. But maybe, if you think homosexuality is wrong and you are outspoken in your opposition to gay marriage, it would seem that you are against gay rights. (I don’t know if you are or are not, I’m just using this as an example.)

        And quite frankly, I’m surprised that you would take issue with stand-up comedians and their lack of political correctness in their comic routines while, at the same time, talk about how our society is focusing too much on being politically correct. That, to me, seems a bit contradictory.

        Anyway, I enjoyed your post and I have enjoyed our discussion. I too, am offended by what’s going with our government and how dysfunctional it is. On many points I agree with you, but not on all.

        Oh, one more thing. I’m curious about your thoughts on this whole Washington Redskins controversy. I was raised in the DC area and have been a Redskins fan for years. Do you feel, because the word “Redskin” is a racial slur, considered by Native Americans in the same sense that many blacks consider the word “Nigger” to be a racial slur, that the football team should change its name? I’m not trying to bait you, I am genuinely interested, given the nature of this discussion, what your thoughts are.

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      • Just be clear. Your homosexual example is malicious and is something I think we can both agree on should not be used. Unfortunately, there are people out there who do try and prevent people from having that opinion no matter how nicely you state it or try to explain why you feel or believe that way.

        Perhaps I am misunderstanding your statement regarding the comedians. I don’t believe I’m being contradictory at all. We have taken being politically correct to far, which we both agree on. However, I do not believe anyone should malicious language to get a laugh. Those comedians that do do it for shock value and to get rise out of folks.

        As far as the the Redskins issue is concerned, I wrote a post on it called , please feel free to read it and let me know your thoughts.

        I enjoy a healthy discussions like this one. Thanks for dropping by and reading and I’m glad you enjoyed.

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  4. I LOVE this post and I love the Opinionated Man blog myself! I am a huge advocate of the world being waaay too sensitive to the point that it now hinders free speech and I hate that. I agree that in general whatever we say and do should never intentionally harm someone with malicious intent but aside from that our society is a bunch of crybabies (hence my blog name LOL). Also I had no idea of the history of it so thank you this post was great!

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    • Thanks Sarah, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I love OM too. I tend to get in trouble a lot for speaking my mind. Pretty soon we’re going to be at blink once only if you agree and those that don’t will have to wear a scarlet letter.

      It’s just going way to far. I tell people “grow a back bone and keep it moving.” Life is to short to worry about if I say this I’ll offend this person or that person or this or that group.

      Most often I’m offended that you’re offended, but I don’t see you doing anything to not offend me.

      Sorry for the rant. It just kind of came out.

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  5. This is very informative and thank you for putting this together. A lot of backward ideology was born out of German over the past 100 years. That’s not to say anything against Germany or its residents. They just had some backward thinkers that came along, found power and used that power for selfish gain. If you want some more scary revelations, you may be interested in reading “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich”. There are many frightening similarities between what happened then to what is happening now. We’re supposed to educate ourselves in history so that we don’t repeat what was done. Instead, people in power are educating themselves to learn how to improve it, remove the flaws, and make it a success. That’s scary, but what’s even scarier is that most people are blind to it.

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    • Thanks for stopping by and glad you got something out of the post.Thanks for the reading suggestion. Will definitely take a look at it.

      You’re very right we have to educate ourselves as to not to repeat the past. Personally, I don’t the folks in power are removing the flaws at all. They are just picking and choosing what to “feed” us and calling something else to make it palatable, so we buy into it.

      We have to take the bull by the horns and do our research and find out the truth. And all to often we take what is said as truth and run with it, thereby giving something that shouldn’t have any power a whole lot of power.

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  8. It had never entered my head to wonder about that phrase! Have you read 1984 by George Orwell? Some scary ideas along the lines of speech and thought patterns…..great post.

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    • Thanks Lainey, I’m glad you enjoyed the post.

      I read 1984 a long time ago and don’t have much memory of it. Maybe I should read it again.

      For me being able to express myself is of the utmost importance and if I can’t than I just may explode.

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Speak your peace . . .