From a young age, you learn that America is the land of the free. Teachers, political leaders, parents, and others instill in you a belief that in America you can do anything. You’re free and encouraged to stand up for what you believe in without fear of repercussions for your actions. Is this actually true though?

Can you post your opinions and feelings on a social media site without someone complaining or getting offended by your words? Even if you weren’t trying to offend anyone there will always be people pulling the “Politically Correct” card and tearing you down for your opinions.

Urban Dictionary defines political correctness in the best way: “a way that we speak in America so we don't offend whining pussies. Only pathetically weak people that don't have the balls to say what they feel and mean are politically correct pussies.”

After reading that definition I’m sure that someone somewhere is offended. But why? What is so wrong with saying how you feel and exercising your freedom of speech? You’re allowed to complain about my words but I’m not allowed to share my opinions? Isn’t that a bit hypocritical? Do you think that Urban Dictionary should have censored their use of bad words or is it within their constitutional right to say what they please?

Now, let’s take a step back and explore the origins of “Political Correctness.” Codevilla, Professor Emeritus of International Relations at Boston University, writes, “The notion of political correctness came into use among Communists in the 1930s as a semi-humorous reminder that the Party’s interest is to be treated as a reality that ranks above reality itself.”

If that sentence was a little hard to understand, maybe this anecdote from Joseph Stalin’s empire will help: “Stray from the party’s official position and it could mean death. Whether or not something was true mattered less than whether or not it advanced the Idea (i.e. the Party’s interest).” Political correctness was created as a means to control people and to conform their beliefs to your own.

This article gives a little glimpse about the subject. There are so many different opinions and stances on political correctness nowadays, and if you really want more information, just do a little research. Many people swear by political correctness and get so outraged when people share unpopular opinions that they find offensive, but there are also loads of people that just don’t care about the subject.

The beauty of the whole thing is that you can have whatever view on the subject you want and there’s nothing anyone can do to change that. If you highly agree with being politically correct, then good for you, that’s awesome. Likewise, if you highly disagree, that’s great for you too. Too many people are so hurt by everything people say nowadays.

My question is, why do you let people’s opinions hurt you so badly? Are you that insecure in your own beliefs that you have to tear other people down just to feel better? My advice is to simply chill out. Let people be people and agree to disagree. Everyone has a right to say how they feel no matter the consequences because, after all, America is the land of the free!