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Sparko's post reminded me about this conversation. I was thinking about it the other day - how variable the term PC is, and realized it is not just variable across people, it is variable across time. Many years ago, it was considered normal to refer to someone with cognitive challenges as a "retard" or an "embicile." The latter term even appeared in a notorious SCOTUS ruling about the legality of forced sterilization on such people. When people began to suggest that such language was insulting and harmful, they were labeled "PC." As time marched on, more and more people accepted that the terms were indeed demeaning and these people were also worthy of being treated with dignity, and the tide changed. Today, very few people would consider it "PC" to avoid such language - but they are not ALL gone - there are still people who think it is PC to insist that "retard" and "imbicile" is not appropriate language when referring to people who are cognitively challenged.
Today, the word "disabled" is going through a similar shift. Young people see the word "dis" as synonymous with "insult."
"Wow, he really dissed you," means "Wow, he really insulted you."
So more and more people are seeing "disabled" as a disparaging word, emphasizing the negative (a reduction in abilities) instead of the positive. There is still widespread accusation of "PC" about this as people struggle to find the right terminology, all of which simply feels clumsy at this point: "differently abled," "cognitively challeged," and so forth. Eventually, the language will settle on a new norm and avoiding "disabled" won't be considered PC anymore, it will be a normal part of speech - but there will probably always be some resisters.
These are only two examples. Sparko's note brings another one to light: "Happy holidays." When this country was VERY widely Christian, "Merry Christmas" was the norm. As the country has seen a greater and greated infusion of different faiths, and a reduction in the proportion of Christians, people have begun to see that using a single faith's holiday language is exclusive. So, "Happy Holidays" is being substituted as being more inclusive of all faiths. After all, there are multiple celebrations at this time: Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and so forth. So I greet someone by their particular holiday greeting if I know their faith (i.e., "Merry Christmas" to the Christian, "Happy Hanukkah" to the Jew, and so forth) and "Happy Holidays" to someone who's faith I do not know, or to a large group with multiple people in it who could have different faiths. I consider it a matter of politeness. I am not offended if someone greets me using a greeting that reflects THEIR faith, but I do not choose to do so.
I recognize that "PC" is a term that is used to refer to someone who insists on anally exacting language - but I find it is also used as a term to dismiss language that is changing and people do not like or want the change. And, with the onset of the "Trump" phenomenon - it has gone well beyond that, and is being used as a kudgle to express dissatisfaction by the right to positions tkaen by the left, and a convenient way to dismiss things the right is resisting listening to. I have never heard someone on the left accusing someone on the right of being PC - which is to be expected. Conservatives tend to want things to stay the same and resist shifts, even in language. Progressives tend to look for places where things need to change and work to make those changes. So it is more likely that the left will be advocating for a change in language than the right.
Today, the word "disabled" is going through a similar shift. Young people see the word "dis" as synonymous with "insult."
"Wow, he really dissed you," means "Wow, he really insulted you."
So more and more people are seeing "disabled" as a disparaging word, emphasizing the negative (a reduction in abilities) instead of the positive. There is still widespread accusation of "PC" about this as people struggle to find the right terminology, all of which simply feels clumsy at this point: "differently abled," "cognitively challeged," and so forth. Eventually, the language will settle on a new norm and avoiding "disabled" won't be considered PC anymore, it will be a normal part of speech - but there will probably always be some resisters.
These are only two examples. Sparko's note brings another one to light: "Happy holidays." When this country was VERY widely Christian, "Merry Christmas" was the norm. As the country has seen a greater and greated infusion of different faiths, and a reduction in the proportion of Christians, people have begun to see that using a single faith's holiday language is exclusive. So, "Happy Holidays" is being substituted as being more inclusive of all faiths. After all, there are multiple celebrations at this time: Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and so forth. So I greet someone by their particular holiday greeting if I know their faith (i.e., "Merry Christmas" to the Christian, "Happy Hanukkah" to the Jew, and so forth) and "Happy Holidays" to someone who's faith I do not know, or to a large group with multiple people in it who could have different faiths. I consider it a matter of politeness. I am not offended if someone greets me using a greeting that reflects THEIR faith, but I do not choose to do so.
I recognize that "PC" is a term that is used to refer to someone who insists on anally exacting language - but I find it is also used as a term to dismiss language that is changing and people do not like or want the change. And, with the onset of the "Trump" phenomenon - it has gone well beyond that, and is being used as a kudgle to express dissatisfaction by the right to positions tkaen by the left, and a convenient way to dismiss things the right is resisting listening to. I have never heard someone on the left accusing someone on the right of being PC - which is to be expected. Conservatives tend to want things to stay the same and resist shifts, even in language. Progressives tend to look for places where things need to change and work to make those changes. So it is more likely that the left will be advocating for a change in language than the right.
Most of us would agree those are unnecessary and hurtful. "Retard" more so than "imbecile". In fact, one of our denominational leaders made a comment in an email recently, after being corrected on a wrong date he included in a previous email, "Yes, my bad - I had a retard moment". 
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