Why does it seem that everyone is more worried about being politically correct than 30 years ago?

Question

I'm talking about everything. From movies, to books, to cartoons, and even to conversations. I thought as timed progressed, everyone is supposed to be more open minded and such. Things that were perfectly harmless a few decades ago are now "controversial". Many episodes of Looney Tunes, for instance, are now considered completely offensive. Now don't get me wrong. They definitely made fun of people/races, but they made fun of EVERYONE. Why is it ok for us to laugh at ourselves for things, but we won't allow other people to laugh at us for the same reasons? Am I the only one that thinks we all need to lighten up? We're laughing at each other for pete's sake. It's not like we're pointing guns at each other. What's so bad about it?

Basically I just want to know, why do you guys think this change is slowly occurring? And do you think that in like, 50 years, we won't be able to laugh at anything anymore because someone will read too far into it and get offended?

P.S.: I do not condone or promote racism or discrimination of any sort. Humor should always be playful, not hateful. I'm just genuinely interested in what people have to say about the subject.

Answer 1

Because now people are trying not to offend others because they don't want to be seen as racist. Also, now everyone is more equal, the men aren't any better than the women, so we can't make fun of them (or we aren't supposed to).

Answer 2

Two words: Legal Liability. Our civil courts in this age have become nothing more than an enabler for unscrupulous persons to garner payoffs from frivolous lawsuits.

Answer 3

People don't have any balls anymore.  I say it is better to be bruteftully honest because it is always better to be hated for who you are than be loved for who you're not.

Answer 4

because we're supposed to progress as time goes on, not regress

Answer 5

Because we live in a "lawsuit happy" society as Barrett A pointed out. Thanks to many racial, religious, and family groups, it seems as though we cannot enjoy life.

I do agree that people do need a sense of humor and for that matter enjoy celebrating things that they normally wouldn't celebrate. Example: Celebrating Halloween at an elementary school. We need people who do believe in these things to stand up. Write letters, organize a group, make phone calls.

People also need to start taking responsibility for their actions. They will use the court system, which us tax payers pay for, and use it as a "Mommy, he/she said boo boo. I want money," type of thing.

PS I love Looney Tunes and I have some on DVD uncensored. :)

Answer 6

To  me  the  saddest  thing  is  that  even  churches  have  become  the  same  way.  The  preacher  won't  even  preach  a  good  sermon  because  he  is  afraid  of    offending  someone.  For  example,  the  pastor  won't  even  talk  about  sin.  Another  church  won't  even  minister  about  the  blood  of  Jesus  as someone  might  be  offended.  I  never  thought  I'd  live  to  see  anything  like  this.