Do you think people are so politically correct anymore that it's impossible to even have a genuine conversation?

Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes! The most important, personal, deep subjects are the ones that no one is willing to talk about openly because of the politically correct garbage. Politically correct was designed with the hopes of not offending anyone.

Well, guess what? People like to be offended because it makes them feel BIG! So, they won't stop at anything, especially something endorsed by so many organizations, to feel offended, especially when such "offensive statements" can be labeled "not politically correct."

The best example of this is how someone can say "Man, Israel's a really bellicose country when you come to think about it. " and then all of a sudden that person will be accused of anti-semitism, even though such a comment is clearly not anti-semitic. The featured question about Black vs African American this week is another example.

Some people think it's racist to acknowledge the concept of races. There are others who think it's sexist to try to pretend that one sex was designed to carry and nurture babies and the other one lacks that ability. People from various backgrounds have to acknowledge differences and make certain statements in order to learn about different people.

Racial/Sexual/Religious/Political/Cultural differences exist, and they probably always will. To acknowledge such differences is to embrace them and learn about them. In doing this, you acquire a different viewpoint you previously didn't have.

The most important thing is not to judge any one characteristic "better" or "best. " They all have their merits and flaws. But, an even bigger flaw is to pretend that we're all the same.

We're not, but we can still get along fine. If someone's offended by anything, that's their choice to be offended. They always have a choice.

If they choose to be offended, instead of asking "did that other person say something politically incorrect," they should ask "why am I offended. " When they see that it's because they wish they were bigger, they will start that growth towards being a bigger person.

I'd say, "Know your audience. " I have plenty of frank, open conversations with folks everyday. If I trust that my listener truly knows the kind of person I am, then I'm willing to be more free with my personal opinions.

The problem isn't that everyone is overly politically correct these days (far be it, from what I hear and see everyday! ) but that the media, as usual, is quick to jump on someone or make a mountain out of a molehill-sized mistake. Just like plane crashes are perceived as happening much more frequently than they actually do, the apocryphal story of an inappropriate choice of words bringing doom seems ever-present and lurking behind every politically-correct, tight-lipped smile.

If you are genuine, and your intent wasn't to harm, most folks will accept that, and hopefully seek to explain why they took offense, if they did at all. The people I like to talk to are forgiving and tolerant. The ones that aren't?

Well, I don't have "genuine" conversations with them. Problem solved. People are human and not perfect, and they have a right to their beliefs and opinions, however prejudiced or close-minded they may be, as long as they aren't deliberately harming others in their expression.As a society, we seem increasingly focused on tearing others down (witness today's top-rated reality shows) or celebrating their shortcomings, and too intent on "getting what's owed to me" as opposed to what is proper and good for others, the community and the world.

Understandable, given the rough economic times afflicting every part of the world, but it's times like these where selfless behavior becomes that much more important. If the media spent half as much time celebrating this type of behavior as opposed to the culture of snark, the world would be much better place. /soapbox.

Everybody says something that offends somebody at some point. Because of this, political correctness is only a matter of oppinion. One group may call something politically incorrect, but then say something that is offensive to another group.

That group is either being hypocritical or does not know it is offensive. The United States Constitution has given us the right to free speech. A right that we no longer have because we are always having to censor ourselves from speaking our minds.

I am not talking about cussing, and other vulgar language, I am talking about real political thoughts. Real views and concerns about society that may not be addressed because it is politically incorrect to talk about. It might offend somebody.

Debating how to solve some issues may offend someone because they don't view it as an issue. The media has done a great job telling us what we can and can't say. Hollywood has become our moral and political compass.Is what I say celebrity approved?

How would Cheryl Crow or Alec Baldwin feel about what I just said? To address an issue that has to do with another race has become taboo, unless you are of that race.It doesn't matter if studies and surveys back you up. We have become a society of "What Would my Neighbor Think.

" We tell our children that you are free to think and become whatever you want to be, but it is actually, you are free to become whatever you want to be as long as it fits within the confines of society. I am extremely tired of having to be PC all of the time. We should have somekind of social revolution, and get back to our days of free speech.

Oops, I guess I just offended somebody, I guess they are going to label me a terrorist because I used the word revolution. Lol

I think that it's not the person talking who causes that, but instead, the person listening. Nowadays, everyone seems to take the smallest comment so seriously. Whether it be racism, sexism, whatever, people are quick to point the finger when someone makes any slight against them, which makes people to talk as carefully as they can.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.