How has the 'p.c. movement' (political correctness) changed value systems in the U.S. in the last 25 years?

Any change that helps introduce compassion into the world is a good thing.

“Being Politically Correct means always having to say you’re sorry.” – Charles Osgood

I don’t think people are any more compassionate than they once were. I just think we have learned to keep our collective mouths shut on certain issues. I think PC is a good thing, but it is not the fundamental change that some people make it out to be. It is politeness with an official name.

Language makes an enormous difference. Who would you rather have working on your taxes: a crip or someone who is physically disabled? Who would you rather have diagnosing your illness: a girl or a little woman or a woman? Who would you rather trust teaching your kid: a lunatic or someone with a brain chemistry disorder? Who would you find it easier to make fun of: a retard or someone who was mentally impaired?

So-called “PC” terms change the way you think whether you are aware of it or not. They make you take the person more seriously and respectfully. Sure, it’s easy to make fun of the kinds of contortions linguists go through in order to make a more value-neutral version of a pejorative term. Some of them do seem ridiculous. But they work. They help these minorities earn greater respect.

What are you? A sociopath? Or someone who is merely insensitive to the problems of those less fortunate than yourself?

@wundayatta What are you? An assumptive narcissist? Or someone who can merely sum up and dismiss someone without a clue to whom their speaking?

I was not aware that there was such a movement, per say. There is a very real need for some people to watch what kind of crap comes out of their mouths because their misinformed words affects others and imply the kind of world that I don’t want to share with them. As I always say, the only people bitching about how ‘PC’ things have gotten are ones who don’t want to give up their sexist, racist, and homophobic views. You rarely hear a transgender person talk about how PC their world is.

It’s obvious I should have defined ‘pc’ and my question in general. I am black, my brother is gay (not easy in the black community), and between us we have good transgender friends. In our circles .. minority circles, we know damn good and well that p.c. hasn’t changed any minds, just the words they use in ‘polite’ society. And btw Simone, too bad you know so many bitchy sexist, racist and homophobic people.

@RubyB Talking to people about preferred words and why it’s necessary has changed plenty of minds, here on fluther and in other aspects of my life. People sometimes don’t know what works better and why certain things are offensive. Those who don’t care and don’t want to be real friends bitch about how I’m so P.C. In general, I don’t view myself as such.

@RubyB Exactly my point. Thanks for demonstrating the power of words. How old are you? Tell me you want to live in the times when blacks were niggers or boys and gay people were fags and cocksuckers. Look to history if you don’t think PC hasn’t changed any minds and had an effect on changing the way people think. Do you really want to go back to those times? Really?

Things may not be as different as you want them to be, but they are way better. The way we talk changes the way we think. It has changed the way we think. It will continue to change the way we think. You would never have responded to my comment the way you did if you didn’t believe in the power of words. These changes take a long time.

I take it you’re white?