political correctness

 has provided opportunities for minorities, for example, not simply to assimilate to prevailing standards and accept as universal norms what had not previously been their own, but to have the opportunity to question the notion of universality and insist that minority views be taken into account.

the control of cultural capital. To Scott, political correctness draws serious attention to the institutional structures of inequality that produce racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. She argues that political correctness has provided opportunities for minorities, for example, not simply to assimilate to prevailing standards and accept as universal norms what had not previously been their own, but to have the opportunity to question the notion of universality and insist that minority views be taken into account. Henry (1993) provides the counterargument as he labels political correctness as simply a way to respond to the normative rights of groups rather than the rights of individuals. He says it has to do with whatever might be deemed offensive by a member of the perceived rights of that group. Whether challenging the 'Dead White Male'' Western canon, affirmative action, freedom of expression, or the party line, political correctness, argues Henry, has simply been a vehicle to attack those who have achieved through traditional routes and processes (also see Beckwith and Bauman, 1993... Aufderheide, 1992).

Thomas J. La BelleThinkers

Thomas J. La Belle