In recent years, political correctness has been increasingly popular in both mainstream media and in communities across the country. The list of words that one can and cannot say is expanding at an almost exponential rate. While hate speech should be frowned upon and discouraged in public forums, there needs to be an element of caution when discussing what is politically correct and what is not, as politically correct culture has become more and more prevalent. The examples of cases of this being taken too far have become more common as well. The question then arises; where should the line be drawn on what is and is not politically correct?
In November 2008, a young girl by the name of Rachel Zimmer was berated for her views on abortion and gay marriage. While this may not have been too strange of a happening if it was a discussion amongst students, the driver of her bus was the main culprit behind this discussion about acceptance and tolerance. On this fateful bus ride, Rachel announced that she did not vote for President Barack Obama as a result of her disagreeing with his views on gay marriage and abortion. Most of her fellow peers wrote off Rachel as just another Christian against gay marriage. However, the bus driver took it upon herself to tell Rachel just how wrong she is. Not only did she stop the bus to deliver a speech about acceptance and tolerance, but once the rest of the students got off the bus, she returned to the Zimmer home, while the parents were away, to deliver another speech geared towards Rachel and call her a "little bigot."
While Rachel Zimmer's comments were by no means accepting and tolerant, the bus driver stepped extremely out of line. Public education should encourage the exchanging of ideas. It should not be used as a platform to squash the ideas of students due to the fact that they do not fit the standard of what is politically correct and tolerant. Sadly, the bus driver faced no direct repercussions for her actions. This is a case where political correctness squashed the right to free speech all U.S. citizens should be guaranteed.
Perhaps the greatest example of the power of political correctness over the right to free speech can be seen in the arena of the modern college. With the majority of most college-aged Americans falling on the more liberal side of the political spectrum, it is not surprising that many are very supportive of the politically correct movement. While this does protect the feelings of many, it also insulates many from ideas that do not line up directly with theirs. When faced with an idea that conflicts with their beliefs, many do not hesitate to claim that the speech is inflammatory, offensive and intolerant. Most viewpoints that fall on the right side of the political spectrum often go unheard on many college campuses.
Free speech is one of pillars that makes America a model of freedom. However, in recent years, this right has been occasionally pushed to the side in order to not offend anyone. In my opinion, this is a tragedy. When two opposing ideas are able to be exchanged in a respectful manner, there is no end to the possibilities of positive outcomes that can come from it. While hate speech should certainly be frowned upon and even shunned, ideas that simply do not align with yours should not be feared and hated. It is also important to remember that while one is allowed to speak their ideas, no one is forced to listen. Free speech should be encouraged, not feared. Perhaps Voltaire sums up this idea most eloquently, "I disprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
