Chapter 18 At Issue Questions

1. Shakely writes, “If 16 percent of a population finds something offensive, that should be enough to signal deep concern. There are many things in this country that are subject to majority rule; dignity and respect are not among them” (para. 6). How do you think Reynolds would respond to this claim? What is your response?

2. Reynolds makes several references to “political correctness” in her essay, as when she asks, “Have we as a country become so haunted by political correctness and censorship that we have created the very barriers we say we want to overcome?” (para. 15). What does “political correctness” mean? What connotations does it have? Do you think political correctness is as big a problem as Reynolds thinks it is? Explain.

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3. According to Shakely, “[C]asual stereotyping can breed callousness” (9). What do you think he means by this statement, particularly in light of his use of the adjective “casual”? Do you agree?