How can a person learn what is politically correct statements?

Answer 1

You learn part of this by staying informed and being around different people. But there are also some simple hard and fast rules you can use too.

1. Slurs are never appropriate, even when discussing politics or conversing with people you consider hateful or bigoted.

2. A transsexual woman is not a "tranny," "shemale," nor "he-she," and when you use pronouns, simply use the ones that correspond to how the person is trying to present and their inner identity.

3. The word "oriental" should only be used in reference to food or objects, never people. Use Asian to refer to people unless you know their exact nationality. You may own an oriental rug or enjoy an oriental meal, but you have Asian neighbors.

4. Try to use medical terminology, gender identities, ethnicities, and sexual orientations as adjectives rather than nouns. Someone would be a "transgender person," not "a transgender."

5. Use "who" to refer to people, and "that" to refer to objects and concepts. It is easy to use "that" when you really mean to use "who."

Example: "This belongs to Jody who is in my math class."

6. Avoid language that implies that someone has a fault. While "hearing impaired" might sound better, it implies there is something wrong with the other person. Also, the term "impaired" is also used to denote substance abuse, so it is not a flattering term. The term deaf is much easier to say and implies nothing other than the fact that someone cannot hear.

7. Calling someone a "pervert" or calling a behavior "perverted" will likely offend others. But if you must speak from that angle, "sexually-motivated" may be a better word choice. That speaks to the motivation without judging the behavior nor the people who practice it.

8. If in doubt, use the terminology that the other person is using. If a transsexual person uses the term transsexual, then they might not like it if you interchange the term transgender.

Answer 2

A person can learn what is considered politically correct by staying informed about current social issues, actively listening to marginalized communities, using inclusive language, and reflecting on how their words and actions may impact others. It's important to be open to feedback, educate oneself on diverse perspectives, and be respectful in conversations about sensitive topics.