Being "Politically Correct"?
What does it mean to be "politically correct"? Synonyms typically include "unoffensive," "nondiscriminatory," and "unbiased." Yet, these synonyms still leave for open interpretation. How can someone define something as being unoffensive or offensive when something that can be offensive? Personally, I see nothing wrong with neither the phrase "senior citizen" nor the phrase "black market." Apparently some people do. An editor has to consider this and decide whether an author should keep these phrases. Since some of these phrases are so subjective, the author may then challenge the editor for this.
Of course, this does not only apply to phrases; It also applies to the age old "generic he". Up until a little while ago the "generic he" was just the way it was. The sentence "Every person needs to bring his resume to the interview" was fine. However, now there is a push for the "generic he" and replace it with a singular third person plural i.e. "they" and "their". So the sentence reads "Every person needs to bring their resume to the interview." Editors and authors will have to discuss which course to go. However, this is so much better than the he or she previously advised.
Finally, who does not hate when someone points out that it was a MALE nurse or that the doctors will bring their wives? Why do we have to point out that it was a male nurse or that the doctors have wives, but not when the nurse is a female or that the doctors bring their husbands? The reason: gender bias! It is so incredibly annoying. My dad is a male nurse. Initially this was so shocking to my friends. It's not a big deal, but they do because it's just SO unusual. It isn't. It's time for people to get over the idea of gendered jobs, especially authors. Granted an editor can edit away any gender bias in a text but when people read they internalize, and gender bias should not be internalized.
So the point of all of this is that this week was all about being politically correct in class. It makes one think. It also makes one hope that authors and editors have these views.
Of course, this does not only apply to phrases; It also applies to the age old "generic he". Up until a little while ago the "generic he" was just the way it was. The sentence "Every person needs to bring his resume to the interview" was fine. However, now there is a push for the "generic he" and replace it with a singular third person plural i.e. "they" and "their". So the sentence reads "Every person needs to bring their resume to the interview." Editors and authors will have to discuss which course to go. However, this is so much better than the he or she previously advised.
Finally, who does not hate when someone points out that it was a MALE nurse or that the doctors will bring their wives? Why do we have to point out that it was a male nurse or that the doctors have wives, but not when the nurse is a female or that the doctors bring their husbands? The reason: gender bias! It is so incredibly annoying. My dad is a male nurse. Initially this was so shocking to my friends. It's not a big deal, but they do because it's just SO unusual. It isn't. It's time for people to get over the idea of gendered jobs, especially authors. Granted an editor can edit away any gender bias in a text but when people read they internalize, and gender bias should not be internalized.
So the point of all of this is that this week was all about being politically correct in class. It makes one think. It also makes one hope that authors and editors have these views.
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