Political correctness gone mad?

**ThatGuy** · 11/01/2006, 3:56 PM

I was talking to someone in my family about the whole Mary O'Rourke "worked like blacks" shenanigans today, and in fairness I think that what she said was 100% wrong and stupid, I am disappointed that she hasn't apologised over it. That has been dealt with here already though.

However, I was told a stoy of someone in work who when asked about a time to bring the office post to the post office commented that it would be "black with people" at the time it was mentioned. She got given out to because what she said was "racist". That to me is absolutely ridiculous, it is a phrase taken out of an Irish translation which is as old as the hills. Nothing to do with black people. Absolute madness. If I said that in work and I was reprimanded for it I wouldn't stand for the implication of me being racist and I would pursue it. Ridiculous.

**Risteard** · 11/01/2006, 4:00 PM

Your manager is just a fool.
That is not a racist phrase.
Your manager is a fool for thinking it was.
Mary O'Rourke is a fool for saying what she said.

**Bald Student** · 11/01/2006, 5:01 PM

On a similar topic, I'm confused by the new word 'non-national'. Is it now racist to call someone foreign?

**Dodge** · 11/01/2006, 10:31 PM

Not rascist. Just a media buzz word. Oh and apparently it shouldn't be called rascism, its racialism. My ex boss was involved in some sort of campaign group whilst I was busy working like a ....

**dahamsta** · 11/01/2006, 10:37 PM

Racism and racialism mean exactly the same thing. Only racists use the word racialist to try to differentiate themselves (and prove how ignorant they are in the process).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racialism

adam

**Bald Student** · 11/01/2006, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Ken Shabby

Racism and racialism mean exactly the same thing. Only racists use the word racialist to try to differentiate themselves (and prove how ignorant they are in the process).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racialism

adam

I think you're wrong. Ali G uses the term Racialist and he is black.

**Macy** · 12/01/2006, 7:27 AM

Originally Posted by Bald Student

On a similar topic, I'm confused by the new word 'non-national'. Is it now racist to call someone foreign?

I really hate that too. Also, people must be from some nation? Was it a McDowell phrase from around the time of the referendum?

**Dodge** · 12/01/2006, 11:41 AM

There are peopl classified as stateless macy but I get your point

**Macy** · 12/01/2006, 1:08 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

There are peopl classified as stateless macy but I get your point

So is it purely supposed to be used for asylum seekers then? Just wondered, as I thought it was just a catch all for anyone not Irish. Or is that just the way the media, gards etc have taken up to use it?

**Dodge** · 12/01/2006, 1:50 PM

Well, its not a "real" term in that it doesn't hav one universal meaning. In this country its used (by the media) to describe anyone who's not Irish (in real terms, they usually mean non-white)

The term "stateless" in international terms has loads of uses; people from Kosove, Latvian/Lithuanian/Estonian "Aliens" (there's a few more but I won't bore you) Its genrally somebody who is not entitled to a full passport in any country.

**Hither green** · 12/01/2006, 3:20 PM

One of the latest ones is Scotland Yard's Black museum, which is Victorian and obviously refers to London's murky and gory crimes. They've apparently had a complaint that it's a negative use of the word black. Fine prohibit sayings if they have historical origins that are now offensive but don't start redefining words.

**Dublin12** · 12/01/2006, 3:26 PM

One I heard from London..some pub changed their menu from Shepards pie to Workers pie as it was deemed as sexist lol

**noby** · 12/01/2006, 3:38 PM

Can women not be shepherds?
Shepherdess perhaps?
(Actually, that's another pet hate of mine: manageress and the like.)

**John83** · 12/01/2006, 3:41 PM

Originally Posted by noby

(Actually, that's another pet hate of mine: manageress and the like.)

Interesting. I have the opposite problem, "She's not a bloody actor, she's an actress."

**Hither green** · 12/01/2006, 3:47 PM

Originally Posted by John83

Interesting. I have the opposite problem, "She's not a bloody actor, she's an actress."

I agree. What's wrong with differentiating between the sexes? It's not saying one's better than the other, just that they're different. "A female actor" is an annoying one I've heard. Frankly I feel like becoming a world famous actor just so that I can insist on being described as a male actress.

**noby** · 12/01/2006, 3:53 PM

What's wrong with equality?
Why the need to always differentiate?
A nurse is a nurse. A musician is a musician. Why do we need to know if a manager is male or female?

**Student Mullet** · 13/01/2006, 2:20 AM

Originally Posted by noby

What's wrong with equality?
Why the need to always differentiate?
A nurse is a nurse. A musician is a musician. Why do we need to know if a manager is male or female?

You need to know if someone acting is male or female when casting a part though.

My own pet hate is the word 'ombudsperson'.

**ThatGuy** · 13/01/2006, 7:35 AM

Originally Posted by Student Mullet

You need to know if someone acting is male or female when casting a part though.

My own pet hate is the word 'ombudsperson'.

What's more annoying, 'linesperson' or 'assistant referee'!!!!!

**Peadar** · 13/01/2006, 8:49 AM

This have gotten way out of hand!
Soon it will be considered racist to say Packie Bonner.

**tiktok** · 13/01/2006, 9:26 AM

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

However, I was told a stoy of someone in work who when asked about a time to bring the office post to the post office commented that it would be "black with people" at the time it was mentioned. She got given out to because what she said was "racist". That to me is absolutely ridiculous, it is a phrase taken out of an Irish translation which is as old as the hills. Nothing to do with black people. Absolute madness. If I said that in work and I was reprimanded for it I wouldn't stand for the implication of me being racist and I would pursue it. Ridiculous.

Along a similar line
Niggardly