PC: Philosophical Criticism or Petty Carping?

This paper presents two central themes: (1) communicative symbols teachers use are often inextricably linked with their personal politics; and (2) the present media obsession with "political correctness" (PC) offers a valuable opportunity for teachers to critically evaluate their practices and reflect on their own values, beliefs, assumptions, and ways of interpreting the world and acting in and on it. The paper examines the "political correctness" debate and offers an analytical continuum to suggest that much of this debate swings between philosophical criticism and "petty carping." Examples from the politically correct lexicon are analyzed with the researcher demonstrating much that is laudable in the PC debate, yet suggesting a philosophical and educational void in some areas of that same debate. The study focuses on particular implications of the debate for self-reflective teaching practice as a means for evaluation and improvement of teaching. (EH)