Why <i> PC</i> Spells Political Controversy : CALL IT SENSITIVITY

All this drumbeating about the threat of political correctness is political crap. Pristin offers “Bonfire of the Vanities” as evidence of the “disastrous consequences” of too much racial sensitivity. What’s next, blaming the savings-and-loan crisis on Ralph Nader?

The PC controversy started as a clever linguistic manipulation by conservative pundits to further tilt debate in their favor. Now labeling people PC is a popular ‘90s sport, even though it’s based on a ‘50s concept. (Back then the buzzwords were red or pinko , and the initials were reversed to CP for Communist Party.)

Articles about PC, including yours, invariably plead a case against this so-called censorship by parading a handful of tired anecdotes and by using loaded language like “liberal and leftist pieties” to marginalize mainstream concerns like racism, sexism and ignorance.

Calls for diversity and inclusion are not censorship. Victims of stereotyping who protest for positive images are not fascists. It’s unfortunate some people find sensitivity so threatening.

MARK SCHUBB

Studio City

Times staff writer Terry Pristin’s article on political correctness in Hollywood, “The Filmmakers vs. the Crusaders” (Dec. 29), has struck a nerve with readers. A sampling of their views.