Politically Correct Gone Wild!
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Wednesday's Child
- Posts: 111
- Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 1:00 pm
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
Hi folks
I have always thought the concept of "PC" was literally oxymoronic judging from the many statements made by politicians which are either
outright fantasy or misleading at best.
We have a whole collection of dopey PC mandates now, some of which I admit are common sense as if we all need a lesson in "being kind", but some seem to be the product of a little bureaucratic mind which spends working hours dreaming up goofy stuff to keep us doing the minuet of being polite, even falsely, even without consent or understanding.
A recent contribution to this crazy quilt of rules was printed in my local paper which stated the local school districts are now mandating "purple" colored correction notations on children's papers rather than the traditional "red" because "red" has come to symbolize anger and might traumatize a student into negative thought. HUH? WHAT?
So are we gonna have purple traffic lights now so drivers aren't as angry?
How about pink? Naw - that's incorrect - pink being feminist - but I thought purple was too unless we are talking kings or gays....If we are
already aware purple stands for other things....how's a little kid going to feel about getting a "purple" mark? I think "green or blue" is more positive. Woops - blue is sad isn't it??? Whew this gets complicated.
Isn't it strange generations of little squirts have suffered through all those big old red marks on their paperwork from the teacher without going postal.... in fact that old red mark is rarely forgotten...and often leads to never making that mistake again.....
Having had many red marks on my paperwork, I seem to recall way too many of them in great detail. Don't know if "purple" might make my mistakes "feel better" at all....
I do like red lipstick too when I feel daring so I guess that old red mark hasn't beaten me down too bad in my lifetime. :-3
I have always thought the concept of "PC" was literally oxymoronic judging from the many statements made by politicians which are either
outright fantasy or misleading at best.
We have a whole collection of dopey PC mandates now, some of which I admit are common sense as if we all need a lesson in "being kind", but some seem to be the product of a little bureaucratic mind which spends working hours dreaming up goofy stuff to keep us doing the minuet of being polite, even falsely, even without consent or understanding.
A recent contribution to this crazy quilt of rules was printed in my local paper which stated the local school districts are now mandating "purple" colored correction notations on children's papers rather than the traditional "red" because "red" has come to symbolize anger and might traumatize a student into negative thought. HUH? WHAT?
So are we gonna have purple traffic lights now so drivers aren't as angry?
How about pink? Naw - that's incorrect - pink being feminist - but I thought purple was too unless we are talking kings or gays....If we are
already aware purple stands for other things....how's a little kid going to feel about getting a "purple" mark? I think "green or blue" is more positive. Woops - blue is sad isn't it??? Whew this gets complicated.
Isn't it strange generations of little squirts have suffered through all those big old red marks on their paperwork from the teacher without going postal.... in fact that old red mark is rarely forgotten...and often leads to never making that mistake again.....
Having had many red marks on my paperwork, I seem to recall way too many of them in great detail. Don't know if "purple" might make my mistakes "feel better" at all....
I do like red lipstick too when I feel daring so I guess that old red mark hasn't beaten me down too bad in my lifetime. :-3
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
Wednesday's Child wrote: Hi folks
I have always thought the concept of "PC" was literally oxymoronic judging from the many statements made by politicians which are either
outright fantasy or misleading at best.
We have a whole collection of dopey PC mandates now, some of which I admit are common sense as if we all need a lesson in "being kind", but some seem to be the product of a little bureaucratic mind which spends working hours dreaming up goofy stuff to keep us doing the minuet of being polite, even falsely, even without consent or understanding.
A recent contribution to this crazy quilt of rules was printed in my local paper which stated the local school districts are now mandating "purple" colored correction notations on children's papers rather than the traditional "red" because "red" has come to symbolize anger and might traumatize a student into negative thought. HUH? WHAT?
So are we gonna have purple traffic lights now so drivers aren't as angry?
How about pink? Naw - that's incorrect - pink being feminist - but I thought purple was too unless we are talking kings or gays....If we are
already aware purple stands for other things....how's a little kid going to feel about getting a "purple" mark? I think "green or blue" is more positive. Woops - blue is sad isn't it??? Whew this gets complicated.
Isn't it strange generations of little squirts have suffered through all those big old red marks on their paperwork from the teacher without going postal.... in fact that old red mark is rarely forgotten...and often leads to never making that mistake again.....
Having had many red marks on my paperwork, I seem to recall way too many of them in great detail. Don't know if "purple" might make my mistakes "feel better" at all....
I do like red lipstick too when I feel daring so I guess that old red mark hasn't beaten me down too bad in my lifetime. :-3
No "Red" marks (or any other color for that matter) on this write-up.
You make many valid good points! :wah:
Cars
I have always thought the concept of "PC" was literally oxymoronic judging from the many statements made by politicians which are either
outright fantasy or misleading at best.
We have a whole collection of dopey PC mandates now, some of which I admit are common sense as if we all need a lesson in "being kind", but some seem to be the product of a little bureaucratic mind which spends working hours dreaming up goofy stuff to keep us doing the minuet of being polite, even falsely, even without consent or understanding.
A recent contribution to this crazy quilt of rules was printed in my local paper which stated the local school districts are now mandating "purple" colored correction notations on children's papers rather than the traditional "red" because "red" has come to symbolize anger and might traumatize a student into negative thought. HUH? WHAT?
So are we gonna have purple traffic lights now so drivers aren't as angry?
How about pink? Naw - that's incorrect - pink being feminist - but I thought purple was too unless we are talking kings or gays....If we are
already aware purple stands for other things....how's a little kid going to feel about getting a "purple" mark? I think "green or blue" is more positive. Woops - blue is sad isn't it??? Whew this gets complicated.
Isn't it strange generations of little squirts have suffered through all those big old red marks on their paperwork from the teacher without going postal.... in fact that old red mark is rarely forgotten...and often leads to never making that mistake again.....
Having had many red marks on my paperwork, I seem to recall way too many of them in great detail. Don't know if "purple" might make my mistakes "feel better" at all....
I do like red lipstick too when I feel daring so I guess that old red mark hasn't beaten me down too bad in my lifetime. :-3
No "Red" marks (or any other color for that matter) on this write-up.
Cars
Cars 
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Wednesday's Child
- Posts: 111
- Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 1:00 pm
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
Thanks Cars!
Did you ever have to suffer Red Marks?
I've never seen it written up as a childhood trauma before..... I think we all have too much time to spend on anxiety meetings instead of getting things done!
Did you ever have to suffer Red Marks?
I've never seen it written up as a childhood trauma before..... I think we all have too much time to spend on anxiety meetings instead of getting things done!
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
Wednesday's Child wrote: Thanks Cars!
Did you ever have to suffer Red Marks?
I've never seen it written up as a childhood trauma before..... I think we all have too much time to spend on anxiety meetings instead of getting things done!
Actually not in childhood, but can you believe in Adult life! Working in an Engineering Design environment, the standard for checking ones Design work by superiors was: Design Drawings were marked up as :"Red" was incorrect, Yellow was good, and Green needed to be added in. Needless to say the more "Red" marked up on the Design, the more trouble the responsible Design Engineer was in. So "Red" made adults flinch!!! Causing anxiety!!! :wah:
Cars
Did you ever have to suffer Red Marks?
I've never seen it written up as a childhood trauma before..... I think we all have too much time to spend on anxiety meetings instead of getting things done!
Actually not in childhood, but can you believe in Adult life! Working in an Engineering Design environment, the standard for checking ones Design work by superiors was: Design Drawings were marked up as :"Red" was incorrect, Yellow was good, and Green needed to be added in. Needless to say the more "Red" marked up on the Design, the more trouble the responsible Design Engineer was in. So "Red" made adults flinch!!! Causing anxiety!!! :wah:
Cars
Cars 
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Wednesday's Child
- Posts: 111
- Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 1:00 pm
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
cars wrote: Actually not in childhood, but can you believe in Adult life! Working in an Engineering Design environment, the standard for checking ones Design work by superiors was: Design Drawings were marked up as :"Red" was incorrect, Yellow was good, and Green needed to be added in. Needless to say the more "Red" marked up on the Design, the more trouble the responsible Design Engineer was in. So "Red" made adults flinch!!! Causing anxiety!!! :wah:
Cars
Hi Cars
That is terrible receiving red marks as an adult. Reminds me of the large red "A" in puritan times.
Depending upon the mood of the marker, a design engineer could be given a terrible time......Nothing "secret" about big red marks!
Can you imagine how embarrassed a child would feel then?
Children do not learn anything when embarrassed. Nothing empties the mind of learning capabilities than being shamed especially in front of others.
Somehow I think that purple would not lessen the judgment however. Why not just write nice quiet notes in a bold pen - for a child I mean.!
Cars
Hi Cars
That is terrible receiving red marks as an adult. Reminds me of the large red "A" in puritan times.
Depending upon the mood of the marker, a design engineer could be given a terrible time......Nothing "secret" about big red marks!
Can you imagine how embarrassed a child would feel then?
Children do not learn anything when embarrassed. Nothing empties the mind of learning capabilities than being shamed especially in front of others.
Somehow I think that purple would not lessen the judgment however. Why not just write nice quiet notes in a bold pen - for a child I mean.!
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
Wednesday's Child wrote: Hi folks
I have always thought the concept of "PC" was literally oxymoronic judging from the many statements made by politicians which are either
outright fantasy or misleading at best.
We have a whole collection of dopey PC mandates now, some of which I admit are common sense as if we all need a lesson in "being kind", but some seem to be the product of a little bureaucratic mind which spends working hours dreaming up goofy stuff to keep us doing the minuet of being polite, even falsely, even without consent or understanding.
A recent contribution to this crazy quilt of rules was printed in my local paper which stated the local school districts are now mandating "purple" colored correction notations on children's papers rather than the traditional "red" because "red" has come to symbolize anger and might traumatize a student into negative thought. HUH? WHAT?
So are we gonna have purple traffic lights now so drivers aren't as angry?
How about pink? Naw - that's incorrect - pink being feminist - but I thought purple was too unless we are talking kings or gays....If we are
already aware purple stands for other things....how's a little kid going to feel about getting a "purple" mark? I think "green or blue" is more positive. Woops - blue is sad isn't it??? Whew this gets complicated.
Isn't it strange generations of little squirts have suffered through all those big old red marks on their paperwork from the teacher without going postal.... in fact that old red mark is rarely forgotten...and often leads to never making that mistake again.....
Having had many red marks on my paperwork, I seem to recall way too many of them in great detail. Don't know if "purple" might make my mistakes "feel better" at all....
I do like red lipstick too when I feel daring so I guess that old red mark hasn't beaten me down too bad in my lifetime. :-3
RED is my favorite color! (I hope I didn't offend anyone!)
4 +4 = 12 WRONG.
It doesn't matter if it is red or pink. The answer is still wrong. Self-esteem has no place in mastering the basics.
Bravo for a great post!
I have always thought the concept of "PC" was literally oxymoronic judging from the many statements made by politicians which are either
outright fantasy or misleading at best.
We have a whole collection of dopey PC mandates now, some of which I admit are common sense as if we all need a lesson in "being kind", but some seem to be the product of a little bureaucratic mind which spends working hours dreaming up goofy stuff to keep us doing the minuet of being polite, even falsely, even without consent or understanding.
A recent contribution to this crazy quilt of rules was printed in my local paper which stated the local school districts are now mandating "purple" colored correction notations on children's papers rather than the traditional "red" because "red" has come to symbolize anger and might traumatize a student into negative thought. HUH? WHAT?
So are we gonna have purple traffic lights now so drivers aren't as angry?
How about pink? Naw - that's incorrect - pink being feminist - but I thought purple was too unless we are talking kings or gays....If we are
already aware purple stands for other things....how's a little kid going to feel about getting a "purple" mark? I think "green or blue" is more positive. Woops - blue is sad isn't it??? Whew this gets complicated.
Isn't it strange generations of little squirts have suffered through all those big old red marks on their paperwork from the teacher without going postal.... in fact that old red mark is rarely forgotten...and often leads to never making that mistake again.....
Having had many red marks on my paperwork, I seem to recall way too many of them in great detail. Don't know if "purple" might make my mistakes "feel better" at all....
I do like red lipstick too when I feel daring so I guess that old red mark hasn't beaten me down too bad in my lifetime. :-3
RED is my favorite color! (I hope I didn't offend anyone!)
4 +4 = 12 WRONG.
It doesn't matter if it is red or pink. The answer is still wrong. Self-esteem has no place in mastering the basics.
Bravo for a great post!
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
now I'm really confused: being judgemental, about those being judgemental, about those looking for a non judgemental way to express a judgement. I must be judgementally challanged, I could'nt possibly be WRONG?:-5
Old age and treachery, is an acceptable response to overwelming youth and skill
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
Words become unPC because of the way they are used not because the words are bad in and of themselves. Guess what? When you take that word away we find other ones to take their place. The whole PC thing drives me mad.
I would say more on PC and words but George Carlin has said it already and I can't compete with that.
As far as schooling goes, get this:
Teachers in Canada are told not to give out more than 4 or 5 "A"s in a semester or their class is too easy. I used to be horrified if I got a B but now that is a good thing. Why do they think this system helps children? It hurts their self esteem and does not actually guarantee that the school system is challenging, it just gaurantees that teachers will change their grading system. I was told this by my mother who is a teacher in Ontario and actually thinks this system makes sense.
I would say more on PC and words but George Carlin has said it already and I can't compete with that.
As far as schooling goes, get this:
Teachers in Canada are told not to give out more than 4 or 5 "A"s in a semester or their class is too easy. I used to be horrified if I got a B but now that is a good thing. Why do they think this system helps children? It hurts their self esteem and does not actually guarantee that the school system is challenging, it just gaurantees that teachers will change their grading system. I was told this by my mother who is a teacher in Ontario and actually thinks this system makes sense.
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Wednesday's Child
- Posts: 111
- Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 1:00 pm
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
Thanks for the great replies!
I have no answers how to judge another's work with marks and letters indicating degrees of success. Our education system is based on just that, but I believe it would benefit a student more profitably by knowing what lies behind the errors .... not a letter of the alphabet. And are the students allowed to question the reasoning behind the letters?
Now that would be the best learning process.... to know what went wrong and why.
Isn't it too bad we don't encourage individuality in all people, rather than trying to breed the young into a herd of critters who all think the same?
I have no answers how to judge another's work with marks and letters indicating degrees of success. Our education system is based on just that, but I believe it would benefit a student more profitably by knowing what lies behind the errors .... not a letter of the alphabet. And are the students allowed to question the reasoning behind the letters?
Now that would be the best learning process.... to know what went wrong and why.
Isn't it too bad we don't encourage individuality in all people, rather than trying to breed the young into a herd of critters who all think the same?
- Suresh Gupta
- Posts: 1172
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:29 pm
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
Hello Wednesday's Child
I have been reading posts under this topic started by you and trying to understand what all the posts mean. It was only in your post (ninth in order) that I could understand what it is all about, but still I am not sure that I have got it right.
If it is about judging another's (a student's) work with marks and letters indicating degrees of success, then I think you are right in believing that it would benefit a student more profitably by telling him what lies behind the errors and not only giving him a letter of the alphabet. Also students should be allowed to question the reasoning behind the grades(letters)? This would certainly be a better learning process where a student is told what went wrong and why.
In any system we follow should encourage individuality in people, rather than trying to breed the young into a herd of critters who all think the same?
I have been reading posts under this topic started by you and trying to understand what all the posts mean. It was only in your post (ninth in order) that I could understand what it is all about, but still I am not sure that I have got it right.
If it is about judging another's (a student's) work with marks and letters indicating degrees of success, then I think you are right in believing that it would benefit a student more profitably by telling him what lies behind the errors and not only giving him a letter of the alphabet. Also students should be allowed to question the reasoning behind the grades(letters)? This would certainly be a better learning process where a student is told what went wrong and why.
In any system we follow should encourage individuality in people, rather than trying to breed the young into a herd of critters who all think the same?
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LottomagicZ4941
- Posts: 752
- Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:00 pm
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
The red letter As never bothered me:)
But I have been a victim of PC at work.
To speak out is now considered unethical.
Any debait is considered nonconstructive. Everyone is to follow what administration wants. When administration curse it is nonconstructive to mention that they sliped up. But when a lower level employee does it they can recieve a vacation for potentially being violent.
Just rase your voice and your violent. Although they said just raseing a voice was not violent when we had the training.
Different rules for different people on different days. Now that is constructive.
Lotto
http://www.flalottomagic.net/cgi-local/ ... elcome-344
MagicZ4941A
But I have been a victim of PC at work.
To speak out is now considered unethical.
Any debait is considered nonconstructive. Everyone is to follow what administration wants. When administration curse it is nonconstructive to mention that they sliped up. But when a lower level employee does it they can recieve a vacation for potentially being violent.
Just rase your voice and your violent. Although they said just raseing a voice was not violent when we had the training.
Different rules for different people on different days. Now that is constructive.
Lotto
http://www.flalottomagic.net/cgi-local/ ... elcome-344
MagicZ4941A
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Wednesday's Child
- Posts: 111
- Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 1:00 pm
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
Suresh
It is confusing to me also...As a child when I received test papers back with a letter....if it was an "A".....I was pleased but had no idea what was "good" about the paper...if it was strictly a Q&A test, the solution is obvious.
It is the tests which are subjective and in the form of paragraphs or sentences when the letter becomes questionable. If a student receives a "B".....there must be an accompanying remark or indication by the tester why the "B" was awarded because something in the paper didn't reach full potential...
I know teachers are cramped for time...but a few more words such as (see question nine...you didn't complete your thought.....) might help a student see why a "B" was awarded rather than an "A"....
And C,D, and F? They need a verbal discussion going over the whole paper..... if there isn't time to educate a child in the reasons for failure or insufficient responses
what would be the point of the test???
To find out how many students absorbed the lessons well? Even that is too blanket an assessment.
It is confusing to me also...As a child when I received test papers back with a letter....if it was an "A".....I was pleased but had no idea what was "good" about the paper...if it was strictly a Q&A test, the solution is obvious.
It is the tests which are subjective and in the form of paragraphs or sentences when the letter becomes questionable. If a student receives a "B".....there must be an accompanying remark or indication by the tester why the "B" was awarded because something in the paper didn't reach full potential...
I know teachers are cramped for time...but a few more words such as (see question nine...you didn't complete your thought.....) might help a student see why a "B" was awarded rather than an "A"....
And C,D, and F? They need a verbal discussion going over the whole paper..... if there isn't time to educate a child in the reasons for failure or insufficient responses
what would be the point of the test???
To find out how many students absorbed the lessons well? Even that is too blanket an assessment.
- Suresh Gupta
- Posts: 1172
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:29 pm
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
Dear WC,
I don't thonk it is confusing. The way you have explained it means that you are clear about what you are writing - "And C,D, and F? They need a verbal discussion going over the whole paper..... if there isn't time to educate a child in the reasons for failure or insufficient responses
what would be the point of the test???"
I don't thonk it is confusing. The way you have explained it means that you are clear about what you are writing - "And C,D, and F? They need a verbal discussion going over the whole paper..... if there isn't time to educate a child in the reasons for failure or insufficient responses
what would be the point of the test???"
- Suresh Gupta
- Posts: 1172
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:29 pm
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
Dear Lotte,
Different rules for different people at different times is not being constructive. It is being destructive. It is unfortunate that administration always looks inside to outside assuming that the problem lies elsewhere, whereas the problem might be due to them only.
Different rules for different people at different times is not being constructive. It is being destructive. It is unfortunate that administration always looks inside to outside assuming that the problem lies elsewhere, whereas the problem might be due to them only.
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LottomagicZ4941
- Posts: 752
- Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:00 pm
Politically Correct Gone Wild!
Well a fool is known by his many words. Perhpas if I would have spoken out less it would have been more effective.
I'm in stage 3 of the grievence process.
I think it will remain in limbo for some time. In a way the fact that the grievence is in such limbo shows how ineffective the formal grieveance process is. At least when I spoke up I accomplished something--even if it was only venting. The funny thing is if they did not write me up I would have been done already as I had said what I had to say.
Lotto
http://www.flalottomagic.net/cgi-local/ ... elcome-344
MagicZ4941A for a free info pack call 1-877-526-6957 ID Z4941A
I'm in stage 3 of the grievence process.
I think it will remain in limbo for some time. In a way the fact that the grievence is in such limbo shows how ineffective the formal grieveance process is. At least when I spoke up I accomplished something--even if it was only venting. The funny thing is if they did not write me up I would have been done already as I had said what I had to say.
Lotto
http://www.flalottomagic.net/cgi-local/ ... elcome-344
MagicZ4941A for a free info pack call 1-877-526-6957 ID Z4941A