Students Choose a Patriotic Theme For Dance…

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by cbtengr

Public opinion obviously carried more weight with the administrators than the opinion of their students. The students were not undermined by outside interference, they were bolstered by it.

If your eloquently phrased interpretation is accurate, then what is the difference between bowing to public opinion and bowing to "political correctness"? Is one term used when the preferred outcome is achieved and the other when it isn't?

[Old Dog New Trick]

I fear that all this "inclusivity" in identifying with all things not Red, White and Blue, is going to make our National Flag - Black.

Oh wait that all inclusive color is currently beings used by another group. Sh!t.

[Box]

Just a thought but political correctness is generally seen as deliberately modified behavior to avoid the possibility of offending someone. Bowing to public opinion can include a wide range of different reasons to capitulate. If Chick-Fil-a decides to start selling sandwiches on Sunday it could be said that they bowed to public opinion. I like chicken sandwiches but not enough to harangue the Chick-Fil-A folks.

Not watching Willy Wonka or The Wizard of Oz because they exploit the poor oppressed height challenged Oompa Loompa's and ridicules the residents of Oz that are forced to live without hearts, brains, or courage is bowing to political correctness.

Respectfully, I would submit that suggesting "bowing to public opinion" and "bowing to political correctness" are interchangeable terms under the circumstances is somewhat of a straw man argument.
The students from Lexington High School in Massachusetts desired to have an "American Pride" themed prom.
The last time I checked this is still America, we still have a national Anthem, a Pledge of Allegiance, and a National Flag. The idea that High School kids decided Sua sponte to have an American themed prom is commendable in my opinion.
...mileage may vary, but I think its good to see young people show a little national pride every now and then. These kids aren't talking about some wild jingoistic sacrifice to the god of American Xenophobia.
They wanted to have a fucking red white and blue prom theme. Hooray for them

Enter the PC wary proxy conscience us of these young people in the form of Assistant Superintendent Carol Pilarski and her ridiculous sounding comment that other students might be offended by an "American pride" themed dance because it may exclude other nationalities.
...here are some other red, white, and blue national flags:
Australia
Cambodia
Chile
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Dominican Republic
Faroe Islands
France
Haiti
Iceland
North Korea
Laos
Liberia
Luxembourg
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Panama
Paraguay
Puerto Rico
Russia
Samoa
Schleswig-Holstein
Serbia
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Taiwan
Thailand
United Kingdom

...how much more goddamned inclusive does Assistant Superintendent Pilarski's think these kids need to be before they have met the high water mark of prom tolerance? Even King Jung Un could show up in a red white and blue tux and display his national pride.

Don't get me wrong, I would say that a tempered amount of political correctness is ok and maybe even just another way of demonstrating good manners...
Telling a "your mama is so fat" joke in a public setting around strangers in a loud boisterous voice isn't just busting the rules of "PC"; it also qualifies as rude and disrespectful behavior.

-Trying to hide your enjoyment of a comedian that tells fat jokes because you are afraid that people might accuse you of being anti-fat is bowing to PC
-Owning a comedy club and booking that same comedian because your patrons want to see him tell fat jokes is bowing to public opinion

In the business world bowing to public opinion is more commonly known as serving your customers. Like it or not, the school works for the kids NOT the other way around.

...just my opinion

[miclo18d]

And such a good opinion it is, sir! Bravo, bravo! Well said!

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Sigaba

Which is why I think it is better to give the stakeholders of an academic institutions the opportunity to work things out for themselves. By attempting to elevate a local issue to a national stage, some Americans have undermined the students' ability to solve their own problems. They will never know if their victory was because of what they did or if it was because of the public outrage.

It is fashionable in many circles on both sides of the aisle to complain about kids being "entitled" and yet it is okay to take away their opportunities to fail and to succeed.

Having BTDT - I agree.

Richard

[MR2]

Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc

I always appreciate your reserve when commenting on these subjects.

ROTFLMAO