My first question would have to be why does my use of politically correct words and phrases bother you so much in the first place? I never really noticed how much political correctness bothered people until I went out to a restaurant one night with a few friends and picked up on the conversation that was happening just a few short tables away. When I looked over, I saw a young girl who could not have been anything more than sixteen sitting and eating lunch with an older woman I could only assume was her mother or maybe a grandmother. They must have been talking about something related to politics because it was then that I heard the older woman say, "You are too much of a feminist today."
My friends and I all looked at one another, eyes wide and not saying anything. Even though we were not speaking, I could tell we were all thinking the same thing. How could someone be "too much" of a feminist?
On the car ride home, we all started in on the conversation as soon as the doors shut. Some were arguing with one another while others interjected with personal experiences. It became apparent quickly that not only had we all heard what the woman had said, but it was not the first time any of us had heard something along those lines. One of my friends even started discussing her personal home life, saying that even her own family members tell her to "dial it down."
So why is it such a normal thing for people to tell those individuals that feel so strongly about politics and other areas that might correspond with current events to "dial it down"? If someone is confiding and discussing matters that are important to them with you, why is that seen as such a negative characteristic? Of course, if you choose to not partake in the conversation that is a different circumstance altogether, but belittling someone's passions and motivations? That I can and will never understand.
So many individuals in our society think that anyone who identifies as feminist or uses political correctness in their everyday vocabulary is completely radical and out of control.
I have personally heard countless older generations tell younger individuals that by using political correctness is "feeding into the sensitivity" of others. That phrase still baffles me to this day, because of course, I would want to feed into other people's sensitivity. I would never want to use harmful and offensive vocabulary and language around others that are negatively affected by those words. So to put a negative tone on something that others do to make people feel safe and accepted is ridiculous and should be put to an end immediately.
This rant is not made make you start using politically correct vocabulary and terminology, but to enlighten you on why others do. They do not want to change your political views, or forces their ideologies on your own, but rather create a warm and safe environment for those that might be standing around you. Because you really never know who might be listening.
