The minute I stepped onto campus for freshman orientation, I was almost instantly hit with a list of words that I wasn't suppose to say that weren't politically correct. When they were read to me, some were obviously offensive. These words that were obviously offensive were actual descriptions for diseases, disabilities, or things that describe ones race, gender, etc. and were used in our society as ways to make fun of people who didn't have these characteristics. Then some of the words didn't make much sense to me as to why they were on there. One that stood out to me was "crazy". I couldn't wrap my mind around why saying that an amusing and fun experience was "crazy" was so offensive. My orientation leader explained that it could offend the mentally ill who are sometimes referred to as crazy, nonetheless it shouldn't be used anyway.
That didn't sit well with me. A word that had two very different definitions, one where I used its definition in the correct context, couldn't be said just because it might possibly offend someone seemed off to me. Believe me, I am someone who thinks before they speak. My intention is never to hurt someone's feelings or offend anyone. I try to think of myself as a good person. However, it didn't seem right that one of my first experiences coming to college, a place that is meant for freedom and exploration of oneself and interests, was being told my freedom of speech was limited.
I understand the reason and good intentions of political correctness. I think it's important to learn to be aware of what we are saying and the potential effects of it on other people. Using someone's identity or an aspect of someone that we don't deem normal and use that as an insult or as slang is never right. However, there are some effects that have resulted from the increase awareness and use of political correctness around our society that are negative, that we may not have seen coming. On my campus, other campuses, and on the internet. Many people with good intentions have been harassed and immediately have been called names such as "racist", "sexist", and "bigot", when there is obviously no intentional harm meant to happen. I think people are too quick to accuse someone of offending someone. How come people who preach political correctness are so concerned with the words we use, but when it comes to accusing someone of being offensive, the name-calling occurs without a second thought?
The increase in political correctness, in my experience and opinion, has a reversing effect on what it's meant to do — opening up difficult conversations about identity and inclusion. Those who have different opinions, usually from the majority on college campuses that favor political correctness are quickly shut down and have their opinions invalidated. Also, those who don't identify as a minority in the United States have been kept out of important conversations and have their ideas and opinions on subjects like race and gender ignored or dismissed. While I know those with privilege cannot speak about experiencing racism and sexism because they have not, they should have a role in a dialogue about these problems and be part of the solution to fix them.
I'm sure my opinion on this subject is not popular, but it's my opinion.
No one should ever go out with the intention of offending or hurting someone. If someone feels offended by what you say, rethink what you're saying.
And yes, I am aware that I have a lot of privileges, but this is my opinion from a college student, from a human, and from someone who is seeing a practice that has good intentions instead having negative and reversing effects.
