PC  and the 'A' WORD

    I think the first time I heard the phrase 'political correctness' in its current context was during the Clinton Administration. I think whoever used it originally meant it to be ironic, but somebody somewhere chose to take it at face value, and there we were.
    First, the phrase itself originated in Stalinist Russia. One of the charges brought against the defendants (or should I say 'victims') was not being 'politically correct,' i.e, not being a good Stalinist.
    Secondly, it is a classic example of Orwellian 'thinkspeak,' or Skinnerian conditioning.  If you get into the habit of speaking a certain way, you also begin to think that way.
    Even before the term came into use, its application was already active. This emerged in the form of non-gender specific terminology.  As I remember it, the intention was not to deny the existence of two genders, but to avoid a presumption of gender where it was not known. So, 'chairperson,' rather than 'chairman' or 'chairwoman.' Once the identification was made, then then gender appropriate term should be used. This, of course, got completely out of hand and eventually bottomed out in such ridiculous identifications of someone as being the 'chair' of something or other. Down from a human being to a piece of furniture.
    The absolute nadir of this nonsense was the 'A Word,'  which resulted in the awards show where they prizes were given to the 'Best Female Actor...”
    Somehow, women in the Profession had got the notion that the term 'actress' was  somehow degraded and degrading.  So, many of them – mostly in this country – now refer to themselves as 'actors.'  Which, I suppose, is fine a good deal of the time, but as in the case of the awards, they have lost not only an identifying title, but had been reduced to mere adjuncts on their male counterparts.
    Women of the Profession: if you truly feel that your title has been degraded, then do something about it! Fight to take it back! You are Women. You are in the Profession of Acting. You are Actresses. Make it a proud word again. Don't let some obscure idiot with a warped sense of language and ideals trick you into thinking that way.