“PC” is a RWNJ / GOP media canard: a reactionary language license for LIVs in a pluralist democracy
President Obama on Tuesday offered one of his longest public explanations yet for why he doesn’t use the phrase “radical Islam” to describe the motivations of acts or perpetrators of terrorism—and a lengthy rebuke of the Republicans who argue he should.
“When exactly would using this label accomplish? What exactly would it change? Would it make ISIL less committed to trying to kill Americans? Would it bring in more allies? Is there a military strategy that is served by this?” Obama said in a speech from the Treasury Department, after a meeting with his national-security advisers. “The answer is none of the above.”
He added: “Not once has an adviser of mine said, ‘Man, if we really use that phrase, we’re going to turn this whole thing around.’”
The lecture was aimed at one Republican in particular, who Obama has also avoided referring to by name: Donald Trump.
Not using the expression “radical Islam” is not about right-wing or left-wing political correctness as it is a matter of being precise about a diverse religion much like mega-church Pentacostalism is much less radical or non-existent than Methodists depending on the historical period. Terrorism is not unique to any ideology, and using “radical Islam” simply allows RWNJs to add a racist dog whistle to their political correctness.
Oh yeah and Fuck Communism, too