Political correctness is a term that is commonly used within the modern politics. Many of my peers, and even to some extent myself, do not truly know what the term means, nor what it attempts to accomplish. Recently, people who subscribe to the ideals of political correctness have been called Social Justice Warriors (or SJW’s). These people receive a large amount of flak, mostly from the right, for their perceived weakness and inability to deal with offensive or inappropriate actions, jokes, words, etc., found within real life. Indeed, both sides ridicule SJW’s for advocating restrictions on the First Amendment.
There has been a lot of ridicule towards political correctness and its followers. This is natural and in most ways, perfectly acceptable. The ridicule is actually, in the end, a good thing to have happen. Firstly, the bastardization of political correctness is ideal because it proves that the movement makes people scared. The population that stands counter to what SJW’s stand for fear how far these people will go, which is a valid concern as I mentioned above with the possible dismissal of our First Amendment rights. However, the movement also questions some deeply held beliefs that all is fine. Political correctness questions modern politics where anything can be said whenever and to whomever one would like.
I am not an advocate for limiting the First Amendment. Anyone who knows what the United States went through, and continues to go through, must understand the importance of upholding the deepest values our country was founded on. Anyone who has witnessed the collapse of basic rights and the uprising of supreme power must understand the importance of the right to freedom of speech.
On the flip side, however, one must understand that words hold tremendous power. Words can destroy and create. Words can literally kill. Negative rhetoric, especially from leaders and international beacons may ultimately lead to violent action. What political correctness aims to do is reestablish an art lost to politics and our society at large. Political correctness, at its most base, aims to reestablish respect for our fellow human beings.
There are lines that no one should be able to cross without serious social backlash. There are certain words that should never be used to make fun or put down an individual or a group at large. Is that really so much to ask? Is thinking before speaking too difficult a task? Is respect and compassion for our fellow humans, beings who are going through the exact same existence, too high a bar for our modern society?
Political correctness boils down to reestablishing respect for our fellow humans and our opposition, especially our opposition. President Harry Truman treated everyone with a tremendous amount of respect. He even treated the people he hated, like John McCarthy, with an equivalent respect. He worked closely with the Republican party and made many strong friends across partisan lines. Today, I do not think a Harry Truman would be able to survive in the cut-throat environment of politics.
Respect is expensive today, and it is inexplicably rare. A little bit of compassion and respect goes a long way. Self-regulation is a small price to pay for a more kind and welcoming world. There is a clear hippie and liberal bias with this sentiment. Respect automatically means all of our problems disappear overnight, right? Obviously, this is not true, but respect towards everyone is the first step, in the long journey towards a brighter tomorrow. Sharing and listening to ideas, without attack or menace, will lead to a healthier political, societal and international stage where we can all share our unique perspectives.
