Political correctness or stupidity?

[Black Orchid]

This isn't a religious topic.

[Neferti]

This isn't a religious topic.

Perhaps it is religion according to Annie? She's the "staff" moving stuff around.

[Schu]

I've got no problem with police using ethnic descriptors to assist in catching a suspect of a crime. What I question is whether they're actually helpful. When I read that the person of interest was of "Middle Eastern" appearance, I had a completely different image in my head and the subsequent picture posted was nothing like what I imagined.

One could argue I am guilty of conforming to stereotypes, but then again, isn't that the point of using a descriptor like that - that people will get a stereotypical picture in their minds?

I think it would be better if we simply did away with any sort of political correctness when it comes to describing suspects. Keep it simple: white, black, olive skin, hasn't shaved for a few days and smelt gross, whatever is the most accurate way of describing the person no matter how seemingly offensive it may be.

[IQS.RLOW]

Stereotyping is not an inherently bad thing. It is only progressives who like to run with the idea everything must be judged from a blank sheet.

Stereotyping is a useful tool in the human arsenal for identifying and classifying. Unfortunately, the progressive bedwetters are very quick to cry prejudice and want to stop everyone from using a natural inbuilt tool no matter what the consequences are.

[Outlaw Yogi]

Political correctness is just intellectual masturbation.

[Schu]

Stereotyping is not necessarily a bad thing if it leads to the right conclusion. The problem I'm raising is that a stereotype can conjure up a particular image that may not be accurate and then it is a hinderance, rather than a help. It's a practical problem rather than a philosophical issue.

The other risk IMO is the distinction between someone "looking like" and "being". For example, my ex-boyfriend was Greek but he wouldn't have been described as "Greek looking" (he was very pale). If he'd committed a crime and they said, "He is Greek", that could easily be confused with him looking like a Greek when in fact that wasn't the case.

So wouldn't it be better if we stuck to the basics.

[IQS.RLOW]

It's a relatively simple process to discard the preconception if it doesn't fit the puzzle but often in can help you reach a conclusion more quickly that if you ignore your base instincts.

As for your ex being Greek but not looking Greek, he wouldn't be named as being Greek because he wouldn't be described as looking Grecian. The stereotype does work best when it involves less complex and more common themes regarding the stereotypee.

Frankly, if a perpetrator is Somalian with dark skin, then it would be far better to describe him as black rather than Somalian. Same with Lebanese being described as middle-eastern. If the shoe fits, you should be able to mention that it is a thong, sandal or stlletto...

[Super Nova]

Babies show racial bias. So it's in our DNA. Article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/scie ... finds.html