Politcially Correct

How do you remember Desperate Dan – the macho, but kind-hearted cowboy from the Dandy? His beard was so rough he shaved with a blowtorch and he had an enormous appetite for his cow pies.

But not anymore.

He’s now armed with a water-gun and no longer has his characteristic paunch. It could encourage childhood obesity.

Not only is it poor Desperate Dan whose bold character has been suppressed by the politically correct squad, but other characters, nursery rhymes and fairy tales have also been altered or even banned. At one nursery school in London, children were not allowed to sing “Bla Bla Black Sheep”, one of their favourite nursery rhymes, as it is seemingly “racist”.

Is this ridiculous attempt for our nation to be more “PC” not a bit extreme?

In addition to the quashing of children’s old favourites, politically correct publishers are banning fire-breathing dragons, wicked witches on broomsticks, children walking alone and sharp objects from new children’s books along with other life threatening dangers that could give children hazardous ideas. Lindsay Gardener, the author of many successful children’s novels, has become increasingly frustrated with UK publishers. Recently her new book which featured a dragon toasting marshmallows with the flames from his nostrils was declined by the editors. They claimed that “It looks dangerous and goes against health and safety”.

There is no question that the industry has become overpowered by the expectations of our politically correct society and of cosseting our children by protecting them against any apparent hazards, even if they happen to be imaginary creatures in story books.

Another aspect which should be considered is the changing of words to prevent causing offence. Fair enough, if black people do not wish to be called “black” or people of restricted stature do not want to be named a “dwarf” but have they actually been consulted? We seem to change the way we speak, tread on eggshells so as not to insult, and constantly change our ways to please other cultures. A person with a large nose may be more offended if they were to be referred to as “nasally gifted”. Soon enough everyone will be so PC that it will take them longer to think before they speak than actually say what they mean. A man will no longer be ugly, fat and bald, rather cosmetically different and both horizontally and follicularly challenged. Freedom of speech is a proud boast of the British people, but PC is eroding it as people are reluctant to express their views in case they are accused of being racist or sexist.