Cambridge Dictionary defines politically correct as, “avoiding language or behavior that any particular group of people might feel is unkind or offensive.” This in itself is not a bad concept by any means; in fact, I was raised on the belief everyone should try to act as respectful as possible. However this should not impede anyone's right to the first amendment. Nowadays in America, it seems as though this idea of “political correctness” has spiraled out of control.
Due to this sudden politically correct rampage across America, Starbucks removed all icons from their holiday cup for the first time since the company began this tradition in 1977. Not so much as a snowman on them for fear they would be accused of excluding a part of the population for being too "Christmassy."
Another example is U.S. military chaplains who refuse to perform gay marriages now fear for their jobs as the Pentagon faces pressure to fire them which you can read more about in Jack Minor’s article, "Pentagon Urged to Boot Chaplains Who Oppose ‘Gay’ Marriage.” The chaplains are not denying gay couples the right to a marriage only saying they cannot perform this sacred act for the couples because it goes against their beliefs. In spite of this, Mikey Weinstein, president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation responded to the chaplains refusal with,
"At this stage, the only honorable thing that these losers can do is to fold up their uniforms, turn in their papers, and get the hell out of the American military chaplaincy. If they are unwilling or too cowardly to do so, then the Department of Defense must expeditiously cleanse itself of the intolerant filth that insists on lingering in the ranks of our armed forces."
People are so afraid of being called “sexist,” “racist” or a “bigot” that they cannot say how they feel or act on what they believe in anymore without the fear of upsetting everyone around them. A line should be drawn between bashing beliefs and supporting your own as an individual or as a business; politically correct should focus on tolerance and showing respect to the beliefs of others without taking these beliefs to extremes such as not allowing expression. Instead of seeing things as simple as saying “Merry Christmas” around the holidays as an attack against your religious beliefs, smile and say thank you for the kind gesture because I can promise you there was no malicious intent behind it.
My advice: simply think of these wise words from Bernard Baruch next time somebody tells you your beliefs are politically incorrect, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”
