Skip to main content

Political Correctness

Filter by

Select Air Date

to

Select Segment Types

Segment Types

8 Segments

Sort:

Newest

05:58

Maybe We All Need Some 'Sensitivity' Training

Linguist Geoff Nunberg says the word "sensitive" was complicated long before it was political. These days, "sensitivities" can be a stand-in for a lot of different attitudes -- some more defensible than others. Our modern stress on sensitivities, he says, probably set back cultural understanding as much as it has advanced it.

Commentary
42:45

Remembering George Carlin

In the 1970s, George Carlin's seven dirty words routine was the center of a famous obscenity case. More recently, the comic was named the recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Carlin died of heart failure Sunday at the age of 71.

Comedian George Carlin tells a joke on stage in this image from 1981
05:57

Political Discourse

Linguist Geoff Nunberg comments on the outrageous nature of political talk shows. He uses Ann Coulter's remarks describing Sept. 11 widows as witches to illustrate his point.

Commentary
42:55

Comedian and Actor George Carlin

Carlin's seven dirty words routine was the center of a famous obscenity case in the 1970s. He has a new book When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? His other books include Napalm & Silly Putty, and Brain Droppings.

Interview
04:13

Race and Language.

Geoffrey Nunberg comments about the return of the "N" word in American dialogue.

Commentary

Did you know you can create a shareable playlist?

Advertisement

There are more than 22,000 Fresh Air segments.

Let us help you find exactly what you want to hear.
Just play me something
Your Queue

Would you like to make a playlist based on your queue?

Generate & Share View/Edit Your Queue