People have really intense opinions on the subject of being "politically correct." Like, really intense opinions. I was a little confused, honestly. So I looked up the dictionary definition: “marked by or adhering to a typically progressive orthodoxy on issues involving especially ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or ecology.”
Still doesn’t seem that reasonable. It’s basically just treating people with kindness, and using language that reflects someone's self-realized identity. If it's that simple, then why do we so vehemently hate being identified as “politically correct”?
OK, the name kind of sucks. It makes it sound like everything you say is a fact-checked stump speech on the presidential trail. Then again, maybe that’s not so bad (*cough everything Donald Trump has ever said cough cough*)
So if the name “politically correct” doesn’t work for you truth-tellers -- and say it like it is, champions -- I have a different name for you: “not an asshole.” Which, I guess, means that people who are not being "politically correct" are being assholes. I think this idea will catch on. Here’s why:
Now, I realize that telling people to be kind to each other by calling a large portion of society an “asshole” is pretty counterproductive, and more than a little hypocritical, but there’s a reason. Just go with me for a second.
Pretend you are the nice blonde person in the above GIF (they are actor Kaitlyn Alexander, playing Dee in the wonderful web series "Couple-ish" everyone should be binge-watching, like, right now). You have felt uncomfortable with the label “girl” your entire life. You know that “boy” doesn’t really fit with you, either. You finally find a label that fits, that makes you comfortable in your skin for the first time, “non-binary,” and then someone tells you they don’t think that identity exists. What would you tell that someone? How would you react?
Someone has just denied you your humanity. Now what?
Of course, there are some thoughtful critiques of "P.C. Culture" and there is, of course, no easy answer on what it means to be a thoughtful citizen in this complicated 21st-century world. What I cannot and will not stand for is so-called “no bullshitters” using the excuse they are not “P.C.” to belittle, bully, and deny the humanity of their fellow human beings.
Can we just be kind? Can we try? I’ll even stop calling people assholes if that helps.
And lastly, if you are offended by my analysis of the situation, I would leave with this: I am truly sorry, but can’t you take a joke? I was told that only people like me -- “politically correct,” that is -- don’t have a sense of humor. Guess I was wrong. No hard feelings. Cheers!