Today we hear more and more about how important it is to be 'politically correct' or PC, as the kids say. What does being politically correct mean? To me, it's essentially censorship. It's a way to tell people to have an opinion but only if it is an opinion that isn't going to upset anyone. So, what I hear is have the right opinion, the one that someone out there somewhere has deemed the most respectful and intelligent opinion to have. But, there in lies the problem with being 'politically correct'. It's not about what you truly think; it's about what you are supposed to think. And I think that is bullshit.
The fact that my thoughts and opinions should have to be expressed in a way that is acceptable to all is absolutely horrifying to me. To me, it is the stifling of freedoms. I think the root of the PC problem comes down to people caring way too much about what other people are thinking and saying. Those who care a lot about whether or not they are PC by extension care a lot about what people think of them. But please someone tell me why I should care so much about what my fellow humans personally think about my opinions. I am not forcing you to agree or like them, so why do you care so much? In fact, I would prefer you to disagree with me. Tell me why you think I am wrong (calmly and respectfully), so we can have a lively debate on the topic and maybe you will tell me something I didn't know before. But please do not get your panties in a wad over every freaking issue and immediately call someone's character and morals into question over a disagreement. Why should my opinion make me a horrible person and not yours? Why is my stance backwards and intolerant and yours is automatically right?
The simple truth is that no opinion is definitively right or wrong. It's all up to a person to decide what they believe to be true. And just as you may consider my opinion hurtful to you, you calling me a monster and hateful is equally as hurtful to me, so why should your hurtful thoughts be more PC than mine? Why in this day and age should I be afraid that by sharing my opinion, people will hate me? My advice is to simply care less. Care less about how people will respond and react, and instead focus on why you believe so wholeheartedly in something and stick to what you think to be right and true.
Personally, I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas and dreams and beliefs no matter how controversial. There will always be someone out there somewhere who will be offended by your beliefs and will hear what you think and wonder how you could possibly think this way, but that is a good thing. Radical and new beliefs have brought about some of the best change in the world, so why are we trying to stifle discussion and thought? Fight for what you believe in and care about, not what the world tells you to believe, and that's exactly what I am going to do.
You can have your PC world because I am not living in it.
