I believe PC has now evolved into a way for people to either avoid being sued or to do the suing, depending on which side you are on.
I don't think "replacing" PC is something that can be accomplished. You need to wipe out the original need for it. I think that educating people is the way to do it. Specifically focusing the education on the young before they have had a chance to be permanently "spoiled" (meaning damaged I guess) by their parents or whatever influences their behavior toward others. Children do repeat what their parents teach them and grow into adults that will continue that cycle. So if we can properly teach this in the schools, there is a chance that over time, the "misinformation" will be minimized. Instead of teaching Sociology or World Religions as college courses, they should be middle school/junior high school courses. If we logically explain what racism, intolerance, prejudice... means. Give them examples of what they may hear. Explain why it is wrong. Answer all questions calmly and openly, with factually based information. I don't think just simply being assertive is the way to go. You can use positive assertion, meaning, being assertive that is free of anger and damaging remarks. Calm, rational, logical explanation and not allowing people to bait you into getting illogical, irrational or angry. Outreasoning your opponent with simple, calm logic and fact, along with not backing down. Just stomping your foot and trying to prove a point by using the same tactics others use, won't get the job done. You have to avoid any types of personal attacks or else people will turn a deaf ear. Personally attacking someone just serves to reinforce their misguided beliefs. They will dismiss you.
I can explain it best by using my work with rescue operations as an example. Where I live, dogs and cats are considered property by most people, and therefore, are disposable. When I speak to adults who have this view, most of them, no matter what I say, no matter how rational and logical I am, they don't get that dumping a cat or dog on the side of the road is not acceptable. Most simply don't understand or don't want to hear it, when I explain the ramifications of using an animal to breed simply to earn a few dollars. This is the value system that they have been taught by their own parents. I get blank stares. I can quote facts and statistics regarding health problems and their buyers dumping the puppies or kittens that they are selling, when the animal reaches maturity. I am calm and rational. It doesn't matter. Most have closed minds. Athough, every once in a while, my message does get through. Through calm determination.
However, if I go into a school with some animals, and lecture about breeding, the health hazards, the dumping issues, the fact that there are 10,000,000 animals a year throughout the U.S. that are being euthanized in shelters due to lack of space because people breed irresponsibly, quote facts, quote statistics, I can see the light bulb going on in the minds of those children by the looks on their faces. I have made the impact that I intended to make through reasoning and logic. If I am consistent in teaching, there will be a certain number of children who will grow up and change the pattern of ignorance to the situation. Keep doing that, over the course of time, as each generation grows into adults, eventually the majority of the population will be following the responsible practice of spaying and neutering your pets, of not purchasing animals from backyard breeders and puppy mills. It won't completely eradicate the problem, but it will contain it and make it manageable.
So, Sean, if you have posted this question specifically to make a point about this web site, you really can be heard and make a difference here, if you are willing to try a different approach than you have been taking. You will be a lot more effective if you can differentiate between the childrens and the adults posting. When you recognize it is a child or teen, it is a perfect opportunity for you to educate them on what they may have posted that is factually incorrect. Kindness, compassion, logic, citing facts, and dogged patience, really does get through to the kids that are really looking for help. Sometimes we get lucky and it gets through to the adults as well. None of us are perfect. We all have our off days here and do a less than effective job. But, there is always another day to attempt to correct it. If you have any questions about how this site works, you can PM me. I am always willing to help.
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