Political Correctness Is Still A Scourge In Britain

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by Neil Bamforth

I have no idea who invented the term ‘political correctness’ and, to be honest, neither do I care. Whoever it is though, assuming they invented the term to mean what it has come to mean, I would certainly not mourn if they were run over by a passing bus. Mind you, in fairness to them and as I couldn’t be bothered to research it, they may have had good intentions and may well be appalled at the hi-jacking of the term they invented.

These days, in Blighty at least, the term ‘political correctness’ is generally scoffed at by all sane individuals albeit with a certain concern.

Yes, it is stupid and yes, it has no place in a sane civilised society but, sadly, it appears to be here for a while longer yet particularly when you look at universities in Britain.

Universities are the domain of young people – apart from the lecturers who may, of course, not be young. Universities – at least a worrying number – are also increasingly becoming the havens of the politically correct insane.

Some young people – and that is the worry as nobody is sure whether it’s a loony minority or a loony majority. Hopefully a loony minority but, I suppose, time will tell. Anyway, some young people at Universities in Britain either instead of studying or, perhaps, along with studying for their degrees are trying to stop anything that they consider remotely politically incorrect.

In their eyes, it appears, anything even vaguely offensive to the most sensitive souls must be stamped out a la George Orwell, like in his 1984 novel.

At some universities in Britain, including Edinburgh, Cardiff and Oxford, there are student bodies set up to supposedly protect any and all from discrimination. In and of itself this is not a bad thing but, as seems to so often be the case, those most determined to ensure the success of such bodies are in overdrive.

Many universities – or, at least the appropriate student bodies – say that, for example, at a fancy dress party it is not permissible to dress as Pocahontas as this is disrespectful of native Americans. Sombrero hats are frowned on as this is disrespectful of Mexican culture.

Related: Political Correctness: Are Millennials Mad As Hatters

I kid you not. I am really really not making this up.

Young people, sometimes referred to as ‘our future’ are, along with studying for degrees in nuclear physics or whatever they are studying, are insisting that any student wearing a sombrero hat is insulting Mexicans and as for organising a fancy dress party then forget it. Pretty much any ‘costume’ you can think of is denigrating some culture or another.

Now I do understand up to a point. Time’s change and as time changes sometimes things considered acceptable then are no longer acceptable now. I get that.

Back in the late 60’s and early 70’s there was a TV show over here called ‘The Black and White Minstrel Show’. It featured singers who sang various songs from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. For some inexplicable reason my mother loved it.

The reason it was called ‘The Black and White Minstrel Show’ though was because all the singers were A) white and B) in ‘black face’. They actually ‘blacked up’ to appear on TV singing songs. Weird.

Anyway, for some reason this was considered acceptable in the late 60’s and early 70’s. At some point the BBC (I think it was on the BBC anyway) decided this was no longer acceptable and the singers began appearing sans black face and the shows name was changed to ‘The George Mitchell Minstrels Show’.

It sank without trace shortly afterwards.

Related: The Dangers of Political Bigotry

The thing is I do get it. I do get that shows like that were ‘of their time’ and wrong. I also get that, as time went by, more and more people realised quite how wrong they were and, thankfully, they vanished.

The problem – well I think it’s a problem anyway – is that removing ‘The Black and White Minstrel Show’ was correct for, I would have thought, obvious reasons, but, somehow, the wave of political correctness didn’t seem to know where and when to stop.

Much loved TV shows of the past are oft repeated but any who dare to be ‘politically incorrect’ in today’s world are never shown often regardless of the fact that they are completely harmless.

‘Till death Us Do Part’ for example – America had it’s own version : ‘All In The Family’ was it? Archie Bunker? Anyway, our racist idiot was brilliantly played by Warren Mitchell. Alf Garnett was the characters name and he said many many things that were appallingly racist. As a result it is never shown on any channel now.

Yet the thing is, he was portrayed as an idiot racist. The entire show was ‘anti-racist’. It portrayed a white guy who was a complete and utter idiot. He was clearly stupid and people generally laughed at him not with him. That was the whole point and yet, in these days of political correctness the show is never repeated in case it offends someone.

Pathetic.

The most recent story of political correctness gone mad concerns our governments ‘Brexit Minister’ David Davis.

Apparently the opposition Labour Party’s black Diane Abbott took him to task over something or other. A rumour started that he gave her a hug to ‘make peace’. It appears he didn’t. He did privately say something like “Hug Diane Abbott? I’d have to be blind!”

Now I find that funny.

Diane Abbott happens to be black. it would matter not one jot whether she was white, brown or, indeed green with yellow dots – actually that might be a problem in case she was contagious.

Diane Abbott is not, in the opinion of David Davis, and, I suspect, many people including myself, overly attractive? perhaps she is to some and good luck to them. However, his comment was made in a jocular fashion and not intended for public consumption.

The proverbial shit has hit the fan for one reason, and only one reason, Diane Abbott is black and David Davis is white.

Related: My Politically Incorrect Observations Of A Few Muslims In Britain

So? Lighten up people! It’s called a ‘sense of humour’ and, let’s face it, sometimes someone’s sense of humour isn’t shared by everyone but, again, so what? Are we no longer allowed to say anything ever in case it offends some poor soul?

Absolute and utter bollocks.

Diane Abbott is black. She is also, in my opinion, extremely unattractive. That makes me a racist?

Well in an increasing number of universities in Britain it would.

There are many many problems in this world but, at the moment, the one that is pissing me off even more than ISIS or Trump or the European Union is political correctness.

Enough already!

Get a bloody life and learn to laugh again. Learn to shrug off someone elses sense of humour if you don’t appreciate it. Learn to be human and accept that not everyone could actually care less if the odd Mexican doesn’t like you wearing a sombrero _ I doubt any could care less frankly.

I once dressed as Homer Simpson to attend a fancy dress party. I had a latex yellow Homer head (it was bloody hot inside).

If I inadvertently offended any of the Simpson family or, indeed, any resident of Springfield O*** then I will not dutifully apologise as I couldn’t care less.

I am proudly politically incorrect. What about you?

About Post Author

Neil Bamforth

I am English first, British second and never ever European. I have supported Oldham Athletic FC for 50 years which has made me immune from depression. My taste buds have died due to too many red hot curries so I drink Kronenburg beer and milk - sometimes in the same glass. I have a wife, daughter, 9 cats and I like toast.
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Cherries
7 years ago

To quote you ‘absolute utter bollocks’

Regarding Diane Abbott what dim Davis did was nasty and definitely not funny. He tried to be clever and came unstuck that’s why he apologised. Brought out all the racists too – was he too thick to appreciate that would happen? Btw he’s the person leading Brexit – what a joke.

7 years ago

Didn’t you already do a couple of articles on this topic? Oh wait. Yes you did. There they are embedded in the most recent.

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