..........political correctness or considerate?

I'm starting to get a different view of what some call "being politically correct". I have often been angry when I have to refer to someone or a group of people by a different nomenclature than I am used to, as to be politically correct and to not offend. I heard something on Glenn Beck last night that made me change my views. One of the actors on "Scrubs" - oh, I can't think of his name now - he has curly red hair and was also in the movie "Platoon". Well, no matter. He was on the air to comment on people who use the term "retard" and "tard" to denounce others. He made the point that many of these "slang" terms are often used because the source of the slander cannot fight back and speak for themselves. He has a child who is Down Syndrome (over 350,000 Americans are Down Syndrome); and who else could not speak up for themselves than the mentally handicapped. This is a great point. We often "pick-on" those who are less fortunate than ourselves and weaker in numbers. That is an arrogant behavior that we seem to allow in our society. Now, what about being politically correct. Many of the words we use to describe people are not very respectful. Maybe being truly politically correct is also being respectful to others. Example: Blacks - African Americans. You know, these people come in all skin shades, none of which is black. Their origins are from the African continent; so, why not - African American. By the same token, Indians - Native Americans; Latino Americans, etc. How about, whites - Caucasion Americans. We could go on and on. I really don't have a problem with using these terms out of my own respectful nature - if it makes someone feel better about themselves - sure!!! Arrogance (which is nothing more than a false sense of superiority) breeds hatred and isolation for individuals, groups, and even countries.