--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The term \"political correctness\" has…" description: "\"“The term \"political correctness\" has always appalled me, reminding me of Orwell's \"Thought Police\" and fascist regimes.”\" — Helmut Newton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/helmut-newton-17307_censorship_the-term-political-correctness-has-alway_2732614.jpg" --- # The term "political correctness" has always appalled me… ![“The term "political correctness" has always appalled me, reminding me of Orwell's "Thought Police" and fascist regimes.” quote by Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/helmut-newton-17307_censorship_the-term-political-correctness-has-alway_2732614.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/helmut-newton-17307_censorship_the-term-political-correctness-has-alway_2732614.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/helmut-newton-17307_censorship_the-term-political-correctness-has-alway_2732614.jpg) > ““The term "political correctness" has always appalled me, reminding me of Orwell's "Thought Police" and fascist regimes.”” [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Political correctness is likened to oppressive surveillance, suggesting it stifles free thought like Orwell's dystopia. **In simple terms:** Equates PC with thought control. Key Takeaway Question how language norms affect freedom. Themes politics free speech censorship culture history Mood critical analytical Type philosophical controversial When to use this quote - media commentary - academic debate - public policy - social media Key Concepts Orwellian concepts social control ideology Questions to Reflect On - When does PC become harmful? - How to balance sensitivity with open dialogue? A Different Perspective Not all PC efforts aim to suppress; many promote inclusion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appalled Reminding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appalled-reminding-2966654/) [Censorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/censorship/) [Correctness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/correctness/) [Correctness Appalled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/correctness-appalled-2966652/) [Fascism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fascism/) [Fascist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fascist/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Orwellian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orwellian/) [Police Fascist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police-fascist-2966653/) [Political correctness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-correctness/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Thought police](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-police/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) ## Related quotes > [“You may have heard the talk of diversity, sensitivity training, and body cameras. These are all fine and applicable, but they understate the task…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/you-may-have-heard-the-talk-of-diversity-sensitivity-training-and/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/thoughtcrime-was-not-a-thing-that-could-be-concealed-forever-you/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Religion is run by thought police. 'Obey. Listen. This is what you do. Don't ask questions. Go die for your country.' The spirituality says,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-chong/religion-is-run-by-thought-police-obey-listen-this-is-what-you-do-don/) [Tommy Chong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-chong/) > [“unlike Winston, she had grasped the inner meaning of the Party's sexual puritanism. 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Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [The real reason President Trump was elected, I think, to the extent I know anything about politics at all - and I know very,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-wax/the-real-reason-president-trump-was-elected-i-think-to-the-extent-i/) [Amy Wax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-wax/) > [“No matter what you do, no matter what you say, someone out there will proclaim how outraged they are, because they think it's their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/no-matter-what-you-do-no-matter-what-you-say-someone-out-there-will/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [While on the subject of burning books, I want to congratulate librarians, not famous for their physical strength, who, all over this country, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/while-on-the-subject-of-burning-books-i-want-to-congratulate/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [“As I've already mentioned, 1984 and I were getting on famously. A no-frills setup, run without sentiment, snobbery or cultural favouritism, Airstrip One seemed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/as-i-ve-already-mentioned-1984-and-i-were-getting-on-famously-a-no/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) > [To respect Louis Farrakhan, we must understand, is simply to agree with him... If dissent is now also to be thought of as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/to-respect-louis-farrakhan-we-must-understand-is-simply-to-agree-with/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“The family had become in effect an extension of the Thought Police. It was a device by means of which everyone could be surrounded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/the-family-had-become-in-effect-an-extension-of-the-thought-police-it/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [It was with the last revolution and the coming of INGSOC (Inglish/English Socialism) that the latest High learnt how to keep their position permanently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/it-was-with-the-last-revolution-and-the-coming-of-ingsoc-inglish/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) ## More by Helmut Newton > [Some people's photography is an art. Mine is not. If they happen to be exhibited in a gallery or a museum, that's fine. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/some-people-s-photography-is-an-art-mine-is-not-if-they-happen-to-be/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [Some people's photography is an art. Not mine. Art is a dirty word in photography. All this fine art crap is killing it already.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/some-people-s-photography-is-an-art-not-mine-art-is-a-dirty-word-in/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [Genius and taste don't go together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/genius-and-taste-don-t-go-together/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [There are two dirty words in photography, one is art, the other is good taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/there-are-two-dirty-words-in-photography-one-is-art-the-other-is-good/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [I have mixed feelings about those sorts of things. When I see it done by interesting young people, I think it's very valid. 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I think the woman who gives the appearance of being available…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/there-must-be-a-certain-look-of-availability-in-the-women-i/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [Look, I'm not an intellectual - I just take pictures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/look-i-m-not-an-intellectual-i-just-take-pictures/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [Well, it takes a certain amount of money. And I've got to see pictures of the person ahead of time. If I don't like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/well-it-takes-a-certain-amount-of-money-and-i-ve-got-to-see-pictures/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [I find myself, after all these years, with a built-in safety-brake that stops me from doing certain things. And one of the reasons why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/i-find-myself-after-all-these-years-with-a-built-in-safety-brake-that/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [You should feel that, under the right conditions, all women would be available.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/you-should-feel-that-under-the-right-conditions-all-women-would-be/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [I like photographing the people I love, the people I admire, the famous, and especially the infamous. My last infamous subject was the extreme…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/i-like-photographing-the-people-i-love-the-people-i-admire-the-famous/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [What I find interesting is working in a society with certain taboos and fashion photography is about that kind of society. To have taboos,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/what-i-find-interesting-is-working-in-a-society-with-certain-taboos/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [In my vocabulary there are two bad words: art and good taste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/in-my-vocabulary-there-are-two-bad-words-art-and-good-taste/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [The whole series is black-and-white, so when I went to shoot one of the women I only had black-and-white film with me. She had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/the-whole-series-is-black-and-white-so-when-i-went-to-shoot-one-of/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) [Explore all 37 Helmut Newton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) ## More Censorship quotes > [“Medical studies have shown that cursing reduces levels of stress and pain. Repressing your anger is not healthy. It's much better to verbalize it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/medical-studies-have-shown-that-cursing-reduces-levels-of-stress-and/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [“Censors don’t want children exposed to ideas different from their own. If every individual with an agenda had his/her way, the shelves in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-blume/censors-don-t-want-children-exposed-to-ideas-different-from-their-own/) [Judy Blume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-blume/) > [Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-halse-anderson/censorship-is-the-child-of-fear-and-the-father-of-ignorance/) [Laurie Halse Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-halse-anderson/) > [I don't believe in censorship in any form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-bigelow/i-don-t-believe-in-censorship-in-any-form/) [Kathryn Bigelow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-bigelow/) > [We must be talented, powerful and resilient creatures indeed given how much we manage to produce despite the constant undercutting, ridicule and needless censorship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/we-must-be-talented-powerful-and-resilient-creatures-indeed-given-how/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [When a critic sets himself up as an arbiter of morality, a judge of the matter and not the manner of a work, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-albee/when-a-critic-sets-himself-up-as-an-arbiter-of-morality-a-judge-of/) [Edward Albee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-albee/) > [When there is official censorship it is a sign that speech is serious. Where there is none, it is pretty certain that the official…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/when-there-is-official-censorship-it-is-a-sign-that-speech-is-serious/) [Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/) > [“I agree that it's a shame some books have to suffer ratings that clearly are invalid. However I can't think of a way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otis-y-chandler/i-agree-that-it-s-a-shame-some-books-have-to-suffer-ratings-that/) [Otis Y. Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otis-y-chandler/) > [I think that, honestly, people's censorship issues are personal but I disagree with most of those personal choices that I see others make. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-rogen/i-think-that-honestly-people-s-censorship-issues-are-personal-but-i/) [Seth Rogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-rogen/) > [Art made tongue-tied by authority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/art-made-tongue-tied-by-authority/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“The tendency to want what has been banned and therefore to presume that it is more worthwhile is not limited to such commodities as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-cialdini/the-tendency-to-want-what-has-been-banned-and-therefore-to-presume/) [Robert B. Cialdini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-cialdini/) > [The only thing that is obscene is censorship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-thing-that-is-obscene-is-censorship/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In a feature film, the question of censorship always comes up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javed-jaffrey/in-a-feature-film-the-question-of-censorship-always-comes-up/) [Javed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javed-jaffrey/) > [“Don't join the book burners. Don't think you're going to conceal faults by concealing evidence that they ever existed. Don't be afraid to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/don-t-join-the-book-burners-don-t-think-you-re-going-to-conceal/) [Dwight D. 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