When did Politically Correct become the “bad thing”?
Like so many others, I keep hearing how being Politically Correct is something to be scorned and changed. When I hear that coming from people who are only echoing how bad PC is, I keep thinking: Do they even KNOW what it is to be PC?
Political Correctness is something that happens as a society evolves over time to realize that there are words that have been hurtful and destructive. An advanced society such as ours has adopted PC because it is just plain wrong to call people names and expect them to react positively. An advanced society has learned that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. If you really want change for something, you first have to understand other people’s viewpoints. How can anyone expect to do that when they are being hurled insults just because we have freedom of speech? With freedom comes responsibility and a basic sense of human decency in choosing our words—not because we want to offend another, but because we see that more will be accomplished when people from different live experiences are heard, understood, and included, rather than pushed out and made to feel frozen out.
This summer’s political process has been hijacked by those who would rather kick a person when they are down, instead of offering a hand up. That’s what stirring fear and hatred are doing.
When did so many of us forget that our world isn’t as filled with the chaos, hatred and threats when we leave our homes to go out? Sure, there are some areas in cities and towns where the hatred has boiled. Has anyone really stopped to learn why there is such hatred, and asked what can be done to make amends and turn towards peace?
To have almost half of the country saying they don’t give a shit about other people who don’t look and act like them, means hateful, prejudiced, angry leadership and followers have been missing out on the real good in people. Will we ever learn the lesson? That is a touch-and-go answer which we will face in November. God help us all. If we aren’t already beyond hope.