The Problem With Political Correctness

The food at the school cafeteria isnt awful

its digestively challenged.

No one fails a class anymore..

theyre merely passing impaired.

These days, a student isnt lazy.

Hes energetically declined.

Youre not shy.

Youre conversationally selective.

No ones tall anymore.

Hes vertically enhanced.

Kids dont get grounded anymore.

They merely hit social speed bumps.

Its not called gossip anymore.

Its the speedy transmission of near-factual

information.

The food at the school cafeteria isnt awful

its digestively challenged.

No one fails a class anymore..

theyre merely passing impaired.

These days, a student isnt lazy.

Hes energetically declined.

Youre not shy.

Youre conversationally selective.

No ones tall anymore.

Hes vertically enhanced.

Kids dont get grounded anymore.

They merely hit social speed bumps.

Its not called gossip anymore.

Its the speedy transmission of near-factual

information.

The food at the school cafeteria isnt awful

its digestively challenged.

No one fails a class anymore..

theyre merely passing impaired.

These days, a student isnt lazy.

Hes energetically declined.

Youre not shy.

Youre conversationally selective.

No ones tall anymore.

Hes vertically enhanced.

Kids dont get grounded anymore.

They merely hit social speed bumps.

Its not called gossip anymore.

Its the speedy transmission of near-factual

information.

The Problem With Political Correctness

Mom was wrong when she taught me, Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. Names
do hurt names can shame, ridicule, and humiliate. Some pertain to race or gender; others refer to weight, facial
features, or a particular part of ones anatomy. Names that refer to social class or what part of the country youre from
can be hurtful, as can names that involve age, religion, or physical ability. Even slang names for certain occupations
can be hurtful. Certainly, no one likes to be called a name that is disrespectful, unkind, or downright mean.
But there is another category of name-calling that is also hurtful and destructive: names such as racist, sexist,
homophobe, anti-Semite, bigot, and the like. Yet many throw these labels around at the drop of a hat, without
understanding what the labels actually mean not to mention the damage done by accusing someone of racism,
sexism, etc. The accusation alone even without merit can be enough to besmirch a reputation, kill a career, and/
or be used to invalidate a lifetime of good work.
Lets consider the definition of racism: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and
that racial difference produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. How about the definition of sexism:
prejudice or discrimination based on sex; especially: discrimination against women. And lets see who is a bigot: a
person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who
regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.
I wonder, do the TV talking heads understand the true definition of the labels they hurl at public figures: racist,
sexist, bigoted, or worse based on nothing more than a comment taken out of context, someones clumsy
attempt at humour, or a photo or image thats the artistic expression of a creative person?
How many of us understand these definitions when we call someone a racist or sexist jerk? Jerk, perhaps... but racist
or sexist? Perhaps... perhaps not. Do we really understand the seriousness of those labels? Or, are we simply
indulging in destructive name-calling based on political correctness?
My point is that the political correctness movement has gone way too far. While the original intent of political
correctness may have been good (to encourage tact and sensitivity to others feelings around issues of gender, race,
religion, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and such), the effect of political correctness has been to make everyone
avoid these topics altogether thereby hindering our ability to get comfortable in living and working with those who
are different from us. Its gone so far that political correctness has become a bigger problem than the problem it was
intended to address!
Its gotten so bad that a liberal professor friend of mine says that she thinks the whole political correctness movement
was invented by the Far Right to inhibit any meaningful discussion of diversity issues in order to keep racial, gender,
and other barriers in place. Wow. Could my cynical (dare I say paranoid) friend be right?
It doesnt really matter whether the PC Police come from the Right or the Left; the result is the same. These days
everyone is so afraid of being called sexist or racist or anti-Semitic or some other career-killing label, that we all
tiptoe carefully around diversity issues, and avoid them altogether if we possibly can.
But the question is: How are we ever going to be able to live and work together more comfortably if theres a whole
herd of elephants in the room? If we cant talk about our feelings, fears, aspirations, anxieties, assumptions, hopes,
worries, dreams, and concerns, how can we ever build trust with those who are different from us? If we cant talk
about differences that puzzle us, or things were curious about, without fear of giving offense, then how can we ever
overcome our ignorance about cultures and races or even the opposite sex?
If we must constantly self-censor any conversation pertaining to race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or physical
ability, then we are doomed to perpetuate the very barriers we say we want to overcome.
To those who serve in todays PC Police, I understand that your intentions are good. But there is often a big gap
between intent and impact. I would invite you to consider the impact of your censorship and finger-wagging, as well as
your inclination to self-righteous, moral indignation. You dont realize it, but youre effectively throwing a wet blanket
over public (and private) discussions of vitally important issues. Youve gone too far in your efforts to protect
everyones feelings. Youre essentially imposing a gag order on the whole of American society, and in so doing, youre
hindering our progress in getting to know one another and to understand others different perspectives, viewpoints,
feelings, and life experiences.
Lighten up, please. Resign from the PC Police. Give us all a break.