Political correctness is a tricky thing. Some would venture to say that it’s complex, others would argue that it’s simple, but most can agree that it’s mildly controversial. Me? I believe that it’s a matter of maintaining a balance.
Throughout the year the conversation on being politically correct, or PC, has raged. This year alone we’ve tackled more issues of race, gender, sexuality, and equality than ever before. As the number of social injustices rises, so does the number of proposed solutions. Solutions meant to be inclusive and cater to the needs and feelings of the community.
Because in the end that’s what political correctness is all about, isn’t it? Being as inoffensive as possible.
The troublesome part about political correctness is that at first glance it seems good. Necessary, even. At surface level, it presents itself as an opportunity to be sensible and accepting. We’re taught to avoid certain terms, certain pretenses, and certain behaviors in order to touch on all the bases in order to make everyone feel validated.
This just goes to show that political correctness is not bad at its root. Like most social constructs, it isn’t until it is taken to the extreme that it becomes dangerous. Political correctness begins to rear its ugly head when the focus shifts away from educating people on unfamiliar topics and experiences and towards shaming others for not thinking the same way as you.
We’ve blurred the line between willful ignorance, and simply not knowing any better. By pointing fingers and forcing others to conform to the way we think, we’ve become the monster we set out to defeat.
This is not to say that I agree with every person who speaks out against political correctness. I am a fervent believer in the necessity to be inclusive. I believe that you don’t have to conform to two genders if you don’t want to. I believe in using the pronouns that make others most comfortable. I believe in doing everything I can to make those around me as comfortable as I am.
I don’t, however, believe in being punished for falling short. I don’t believe in persecuting others for the way they are. I don’t believe in making others feel as though they need to change their way of thinking. I don’t believe in faulting people for having their own beliefs.
As long as they are not acting upon their beliefs and endangering the lives of others, no one should be coerced into changing. Because inclusivity cannot be forced, it needs to be wanted.
You cannot force someone to be inclusive. They either are, or they aren’t. It’s possible to change their stance through some education and healthy discussion, but at the end of the day someone’s persona beliefs are just that – personal. And as much as we disagree with it, the fact of the matter is that there’s only so much we can do.
Recently, there was a debate that broke out in my journalism program about another student being allowed entry because they were known for having controversial opinions on race. I watched as some of my peers fought to prevent them from moving forward within the program because they disagreed with their views. I listened to the rants of outrage and disbelief and I found myself at a crossroads.
On one hand, I disagreed with the student’s opinions. I really, really disagreed with her opinions. I wanted so much to join in my peers’ act of protest. But on the other hand, the fact of the matter is that people with that mindset exist. They live their lives every day. And as much as I believe that they are wrong, it does not change the fact that there’s nothing I can physically do to change them. Preventing them from entering a program solely because I don’t like what they believe will not change them.
If anything, it will only fuel them.
There is such thing as being too politically correct and it’s harming the true cause we should be championing. Changing mindsets happens through leading by example, not by coercion and hate.
If you want to achieve acceptance, don’t just preach it – practice it.
