Terry McD writes: >>Political correctness was not a Maoist term, politically incorrect was a Maoist phrase ... It was used to describe propositions which were thought to be wrong for one reason or another. [The] use [of the phrase "politically incorrect"] was meant to emphasize on the one hand that conclusions should be reached as the result of analysis rather than the unthinking application of abstract moral principles and on the other hand that analysis inevitably has political consequences.<< It's interesting that the actual PCites on the left (I've met a few) tend to have conclusions that were _not_ "reached as the result of analysis rather than the unthinking application of abstract moral principles"; they also tend to ignore the political consequences. The actual PCites tend to be more liberal, tending toward idealism, than Marxist (though they are radical). They tend to be obsessed with correct terminology and the alledged positiv effects of its use. For example, there is the view that using the "correct" term (e.g. "Native American") is a major step forward, even if we never get rid of the objective conditions that make life for American Indians so difficult. But I've noticed that the "PC" terms tend to take on bad -- racist -- connotations if the objective conditions aren't changed (as with the term "Black," which is why many supported the introduction of "African American"). I'm all in favor of being polite (except in extreme situations), and thus use the term "African American" when appropriate. But I don't think use of the term really can change objective conditions unless other factors change. Further, my wife works with Indians (in a public health education project) and tells me that most of them see "Native American" as an academic term, preferring to be called "American Indians" or simply "Indians." in pen-l solidarity, Jim Devine [EMAIL PROTECTED] Econ. Dept., Loyola Marymount Univ. 7900 Loyola Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045-8410 USA 310/338-2948 (daytime, during workweek); FAX: 310/338-1950 "Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti." (Go your own way and let people talk.) -- K. Marx, paraphrasing Dante A.
