(October 22, 2021 at 5:34 pm)Spongebob Wrote: I'm putting this comment here because it's the same issue, just a different manifestation.
DC Comics has announced that Superman's motto will be updated to "Truth, Justice and a better tomorrow", replacing "Truth, Justice and the American Way". I'm sure not everyone here is a comic book or Superman fan, but this has already started to stir controversy. To me this is an appropriate correction that is decades behind. I can understand that when Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created the character it was a very different time, but Superman is an alien. He really should represent more than just one country. It was understandable that the illusion of the USA as a bastion of justice and fairness in the early 20th century made this possible but we all know better now. Keeping the slogan seems antiquated. Updating it is reasonable. And why do people get so hung up on antiquated ideas? Its a comic book character that two kids made up almost a century ago.
Have loved superman since I was 5. Radio serial, set in Australia. Among other things, Superman once played cricket (brilliantly of course) when he had amnesia .Don't remember that American Way bullshit. (whatever it actually means, if anything). But, the comic was written for an American audience, so they could say what they liked. As I got older I understood Superman was American and lived in America where he did all that great stuff. Same goes for all of the tedious number of marvel characters and their world
I consider political correctness a four letter word beloved by politicians and other bottom feeders.
Having said that, I'm aware that people generally don't like change. We like it even less as we get older . I don't subscribe to any theory of social change. To me change is a continuum. Unless it effects us personally, we either don't notice or don't care. Changes in language are also constant. Official changes (political correctness) either stick or they do not. I do my best to simply ignore the ones I don't like. Of special interest is the neutering of language. Eg I still say 'actress' when I mean a female actress. Or aviatrix for a female aviator. There were once typistes and comptometristes. Those words fade with activity they described.
