First off, I tried my hand at some trickery with my cover photo and I am impressed with myself.
Now, let’s talk about being politically correct in 2016. I’m not resurrecting the perpetual PC vs. Mac debate (#TeamPC). I am referring, instead, to being politically correct. What I have learned is that the meaning and function of the term politically correct changes based primarily on political affiliation and who you are as a person. To some, the national wave of political correctness is a sign that the nation is becoming weaker; that people are becoming overly offended and that we need to learn how to “take a joke." To others, it a sign that the nation is becoming more sensitive; that people are learning to understand the power of words and public opinion and that we are learning that some jokes aren’t okay. Some images and words that are portrayed as jokes aren’t that funny at all.
Now, I will admit that defining what is and is not okay to say is a slippery slope but I do believe that there is a general understanding what is right and what is wrong. Humor and comedy are medicines of sorts; joking about situations can make them better. But there is a point where comedians have gone entirely too far (I’m looking at you, Daniel Tosh).
However, sensitivity doesn't just apply to comedy but it also applies to everyday phrases, behaviors, and issues. You don’t have to tip toe around conversations all the time but it is quite unnecessary to “bull in a china shop” your way through life either. Hint: using the term “colored” to refer to minorities is not OK anymore, except if you’re talking about the NAACP.
The other day, I saw a ridiculously uncouth photo on Instagram about LGBT support. It read, “I support LGBT: Liquor, Guns, Bacon and Tits” with accompanying photos. Apparently, this isn’t a new joke but it was new to me and I saw it and was immediately outraged. Now, on any given day I wouldn’t really find this funny. But this picture was posted approximately three days after the Orlando shooting. Can you say, “Too soon?" The meme was indefensible and uncouth.
Do you all remember that day when reports came out about coordinated vandalism of veteran memorials and we were pissed? And then there was all the blowback about troop worship and whatnot? And people got even more pissed? Don’t remember the day? Here’s a hint: It was Memorial Day. It’s the same thing. Again, that would have been a terrible thing to do any day but Memorial Day, of all days? Extra wrong. Terribly insensitive.
Now, here’s the problem: abandoning political correctness and its friends sensitivity and respect paved the way for something very dangerous: Donald Trump. That’s right. We are going there. The man, and many of his supporters, have demonized being politically correct. He has made being blatantly rude and abandoning all sense of political correctness a popular thing. He justifies his actions with the age old “I’m just calling a spade a spade” line but that’s really just an excuse to be rude. There are people who are no longer ashamed to support the idea of assuming that all Muslims are dangerous. Now, these people existed before but it’s become a full blown epidemic at this point; it’s a sentiment of which people are proud. Millions of people. What? This is a bad thing.
Now this may seem like one big long ramble but my point is this: It’s okay to be politically correct. Some folks may think that it takes “extra effort” but to be quite honest, peace and understanding takes effort. When society gets lazy with speech and respect, words can be become hateful and insensitive.
Put in the extra effort, “read the room,” and understand that the time has come to stop justifying rudeness. The time has come to stop demonizing political correctness. The time has come to stop thinking it’s acceptable to say whatever you want even if what you say is, without a doubt, unnecessarily hurtful. Add some couth. It’s a good thing.
